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11&NSAS: 



ITS 



IT I S T O f{ Y, 



PSOU^CBS 



AND 



PROSPECTS. 



WICHITA, KANSAS: 

EAGLE PRINTING HOUSE, 

1890. 



< 



Itt Exchang 
J8 F 1907 






THE STATE OF KANSAS. 



TT7HE following statements, compiled from good authorities, are presented to 
®JL® those who desire reliable information respecting the State of Kansas. 
We have reason to believe that there are many thousands of persons, in this 
country and abroad, who are seeking such information in order that they may 
intelligently determiue questions affecting their own welfare, and that of their 
families and friends. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

Kansas, one of the most prosperous of the Western States of the American 
Union, lies between latitude 37° and 40° North and longitu de 94° 40m and 102° 
West. The State is situated in the geographical center of the American Union. 

The State has the general form of a rectangle, with a breadth of a little 

more than two hundred miles from north to south, and a length of a little over 

four hundred miles from east to west, containing an area of 81,318 square miles, 

or 52,288,000 acres. The general surface of Kansas is a rolling prairie which 

gently ascends from the eastern border. Kansas presents a succession of rich 

prairies, hills, and fertile valleys, diversified in its scenery; it has a rolling and 

varied surface, and a fertile soil. The State as a whole has all the requisites 

that go to form an agricultural and a fruit growing and a stock producing 

country. 

GOOD ROADS. 

A remarkable feature of the whole country is the excellence of the wagon 
roads. Those who have struggled through the mud of some other sections find 
that on coming to Kansas the good road on which to get to market, church 
and school, greatly enhances the comfort of country life. 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION. 

The official crop reports for the last twenty years, including the year 1889, 
and the fruit reports, and the live stock report for the same period, demonstrate 
without argument that Kansas was made for the habitation of man, and that 
within its borders men may maintain themselves by honest labor as indepen- 
dently, in comfort and peace, as on any other spot on earth. The reports issued 
bv the State Board of Agriculture are valuable on account of their fullness and 



accuracy, and tneir conservative character, and they are in demand in all the 
States of the Union, and in many parts of Europe. The statistics found in this 
book are copied from these official tables. 

CLIMATE AND TEMPERATURE. 
Kansas can truthfully claim a greater amount of sunshine than the Eastern 
States. The records show that the average cloudiness is a little more than forty- 
four per cent. In the Southern States the average is forty-seven per cent; in the 
New England States it is fifty-three per cent-while in Great Britain it 
reaches seventy-one per cent. The winters generally break up in February, the 
first wild flowers often appearing before the end of that month. 

FEEDING. 

Cattle, sheep and horses can be brought through the winter with only a 
few weeks of feeding. 

The average annual temperature of Kansas is about fifty-three degree^, 
which does not differ essentially from that of States to the east of Kansas in 
the same latitude. A great advantage possessed by Kansas over many agricul- 
tural States consists in the length of the growing season. During the growing 
season, the monthly average temperatures are high enough to bring to full ma- 
turity a great diversity of crops, while the lowest temperatures are so high above 
the freezing point as to prevent all danger of damage from untimely frosts. 
As a rule, serious frosts in the Spring are not later than April 1st., and severe 
frosts in the Fall are not earlier than October 20th, thus giving a period of over 
six months (two hundred days) without frost enough to injure corn 
or wheat, or any other staple crop. This long freedom from frost gives ample 
time for the thorough ripening and hardening of the corn crop-and to this 
fact, in a large degree, Kansas owes her triumphant position at the present 
time among the great grain producing States of the world. On account of the 
long season and the mild winter, the farmer has a chance to do much more 
work with less hired help than in the colder States. It is no unusual thing 
to do plowing every month of the year. 

The winters in Kansas are dry. In the Eastern States, the amount of rain, 
including melted snow, is nearly as large in winter as in each of the other sea- 
sons. In Kansas, which has less rain in the winter than any other State in 
the Union except Minnesota and Nebraska, the apparent deficiency is made 
good by a more abundant supply of rain in Spring, Summer and Fall, than is 
received by the great majority of the other States. This distribution of rain 
through the months of the year greatly promotes the agricultural prosperity of 
the State. Beginning with March, there is a constant increase in rain in each 
month until June and July, when the rainfall reaches its greatest amount and 



begins to decline, each' riucceediug month showing a decrease in the average 
amount until the least amount is again reached in February. During more than 
twenty years of careful observations, the only approach to a general drought 
was in 1874, when for several months in succession the rainfall was consider- 
ably below the average amounts. 

SUMMER CLIMATE. 

The summers are delightful notwithstanding the fact that the temperature 
sometimes ranges in the nineties. The movement of tbe air is constant 
and cools the surface of the body by a rapid evaporation of the perspiration. 
Such a thing as sunstroke in Kansas is unknown. 

Very few persons, after having become accustomed to the comparatively 
short and mild winters of Kansas, and to its summers with their heathful, in- 
spiriting breezes, are willing to return to regions in which the winters lay their 
hands of ice and snow on all business from three to five months in the year, and 
in which the air of the summers, besides being hot, is still and stifling. 

SOIL— WATER— TIMBER. 

The soil of the upland prairies is generally a deep rich clay loam. Tbe bot- 
tom lands near the streams are a black sandy loam; and the second bottom 
that is the land between the uplands and the valleys, are a rich and deep 
black loam, with very little sand. All of these lands are free from stones, easily 
cultivated and very productive. 

As the country has been settled and cultivated, the short buffalo grass 
which originally covered the prairies has given place to the tall blue stem, and 
other bladed grasses, and in many places various tame grasses, valuable particu- 
larly for hay, such as timothy, clover, blue grass and alfalfa, are getting started 
and are growing well. Not only do the valleys of the streams, larger and 
smaller, produce heavy crops of corn and of all vegetables, but the average up- 
lands also bring good corn crops, and the uplands are specially adapted to the 
production of wheat, oats and other small grains, and to the culture of fruit 
orchards. 

Kansas is well supplied with rivers and creeks. On the eastern border the 
Missouri presents a water front of nearly one hundred and fifty miles. The 
Kansas is formed by the junction of the Republican and the Smoky Hill 
rivers, and from the point of confluence it flows east about one hundred and 
fifty miles to the Missouri. Lateral valleys on the north, are formed by the 
Saline, Solomon, and Blue rivers, and other streams. The Osage river rises 
in the eastern part of the State, and after a southeast course of about one hun- 
dred and twenty -five miles, enters Missouri. The Arkansas has its source in 
the Rocky mountains in Colorado. It runs through nearly three-fourths of the 
length of Kansas, east and south-east, and with tits tributaries waters two- 



-*- 

thirds of the western and southern part of the State. Its lateral valleys on the 
north are traversed by the Walnut, Little Arkansas, Pawnee Fork, and other 
streams, and on the south by the Ninnescah, Chicaskia, and other fine 
streams. The Neosho, rising in the central part of the State, runs south-east 
about two hundred miles, receiving in its course the Cottonwood and other 
streams. The Verdigris runs nearly parallel. with the Neosho, receiving Fall 
river on the west. In the south-west are the Cimarron and Medicine, which 
flow for a considerable distance in the State, and a network of southern tribu- 
taries of the Arkansas. 

These rivers are not navigable, yet with their tributaries, they make Kansas 
one of the best watered of tbe Western States. In most localities, including 
the extreme western part of the State, good water is obtained within a reason- 
able distance of the surface by digging or boring. In some places, particularly 
in the western counties, artesian wells furnish valuable supplies of water. 

Timber is abundant along the streams in the eastern portion of the State. 
It is less plentiful in the central portion. The varieties of timber embrace oak, 
elm, black walnut, cottonwood, box elder, honey locust, willow, hickory, 
sycamore, white ash, hackberry, and mulberry. The Osage orange makes a 
rapid and vigorous growth, and is not killed down by the winters, and it is 
extensively used for hedges. Stone, being plenty and cheap, is used in building 
dwellings, and also fences, barns, and out-houses. 

Since the prairie fires have been stopped, the native growth of timber 
spreads and thrives. Forest trees and fruit trees, planted and taken care of, 
soon reward the planter with grateful shade and luscious fruit. 

Scarcity of timber for fuel and building purposes is more than made up by 
abundance of coal and stone. The toil of clearing a country covered with for- 
ests kills in their prime the first generation of hardy settlers. In the matter 
of tbe labor and time required for the cultivation and development of a prairie 
country, as compared with a forest country, the advantage is all on the side of 
the prairie country. Within the last twenty years, Kansas has made greater 
progress in every department of growth that forms a prosperous, civilized 
community, and with less wear and tear to her people, than any forest state 
has ever made in four times that period. 

STONE, BRICK AND LIME. 

Stone suitable for building purposes is found in abundance in nearly all 
parts of the State. The varieties include magnesian lime stone, blue and gray 
limestone, and great quantities of sand stone, and of flagging stone. 
Stone from the Kansas quarries is used in some of the finest buildings in the 



-7- 

country. For churches, court houses, State and municipal buildings, nothing 
can be found superior to the product of the various quarries of the State. 

Material suitable for the manufacture of ordinary brick exists everywhere. 
The bars along the water courses furnish sand. The limestone affords abun- 
dant supply of low-priced quicklime. Indeed, all the requisites of building 
exist in abundance, and are consequently remarkably cheap in all parts of the 
State. 

COAL, GAS AND LEAD. 

Inexhaustible beds of bituminous coal valuable for fuel aud for manufactur- 
ing uses, are found in the eastern and central districts ol the State. In several 
counties, the mining and shipping of coal constitute one of the important in- 
dustries, and a constantly increasing source of wealth. The business affords 
employment and support to a large number of persons and it is rapidly growing 
in extent and importance. 

The workable deposits range in thickness from twenty to fifty inches. The 
main coal area is traversed by several important lines of rail way, thus making 
directly tributary to this district an immense outlying region which is crowd- 
ed with thriving towns and prosperous farms. 

A fine quality of natural gas lias been discovered in some parts of the state, 
and is being successfully used for light, fuel and manufacturing purposes, at a 
saving over other kinds of fuel and light of from twenty-five to thirty per cent. 

Lead mines are profitably worked in the southeastern part of the State. 
Large aud prosperous communities are being established in the vicinity of the 
lead mines, as also in the vicinity of the coal mines. 

SALT. 

Kansas has taken its place among the large producers of salt of the best 
quality known to commerce. Since 1807 salt has been made from brine ob- 
tained from wells near the mouth of the Solomon river in Saline county. An 
extended area in the central part of the State is underlaid with rock salt. It is 
found at various depths fro m 450 to 925 feet. The thickness of the salt itself is 
from 125 to 250 feet. 

Many towns have in operation organized companies engaged in the manu- 
facture and shipment of salt. Complete returns of the salt products for the 
year 1889 have not been furnished. Thirteen companies, operating in five 
towns, report 547,224 barrels of salt made in 1889. Probably the entire number 
of barrels of salt made in the year 1889 was not less than one million. A large 
amount of capital is already invested in the business, and as salt, like sugar, is 
an article of necessity in the world, the result promises great addition to the 
wealth of the State. 



Robert Hay, Fellow of the American Geological Society, in a report made 
to the Kansas State Board of Agriculture, shows how salt is to become a more 
importaut factor in the future in agriculture and the arts than it has been 
heretofore. 

THE DEVELOPMENT OF KANSAS. 

Kansas was admitted as a State in 1861. The followiug four years were 
years of destructive civil war. The real development of Kansas began in 1865. 
The census of 1870 showed a population of 364,399. Railroad building began 
in 1865. 

From the first, the State has attracted settlers of a superior class as to intel- 
ligence and character. There have come many of the poor, from our own coun- 
try and from foreign lands — many of the young, rich only in their honest 
ambitions — many of the middle-aged, hoping that under our bright skies they 
mightrenew their youth and repair the losses of the past— but the great majority, 
native or foreign born, young and old, have been brave men and good Jwornen, 
fit to lay the foundations of a great State. 

The present population of Kansas will compare favorably with that of any 
part of the country. It represents an aggressive, energetic, cultured, sober, law- 
respecting civilization. It is a proverbial saying among those who best know 
the people of the State, from east to west, — The glory of Kansas is the women 
and men who live withiu her borders. 

The State received a great and valuable impulse from the exhibit made at 
the centennial exposition held at Philadelphia in 1876. From that date, the 
growth in population has been steady and rapid. The population in December, 
1889, was 1,464,914. Of this number, the inhabitants of foreign birth constitute 
a little more than ten per cent. The colored people make up less than four 
per cent. 

The development of the agricultural and material resources of the State has 
far surpassed even its wonderful growth in population 



In the following table the aggregate of oom, wheat, oats, potatoes and hay 
products of Kansas for the years 1860 and 1865, and for each year thereafter, is 
given. The figures prior to the year 1875 are compiled from the reports of the 
United States Department of Agriculture; those following, from the reports of 
the Secretary of our own State Board of Agriculture. 



YEAB. 



1800. 

1865. 

1866. 

1867. 

1868. 

1869. 

1870- 

1871. 

1872. 

1873. 

1874. 

1875. 

1S76. 

1877. 

1878. 

1879. 

1880. 

1881. 

18S2. 

1883. 

1881. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 

1888. 

1889. 



d 

w 

CO 



td 

S3 

WW 

t" 1 > 
» 4 



6,150,727 

6,729,519 

6,527,328 

8,159,000 

6,487,000 

16,685,000 

17.025,525 

24,693,000 

46,667,451 

29,683,843 

15,699,078 

80,798,769 

82,308,176 

103,497.831 

89,323,971 

108,704,927 

101,421,718 

80,760,542 

157,005,722 

182,084,526 

190,870,686 

194,130,814 

139,569,132 

75,791,454 

168,754 087 

273,882,321 



H 

d o 

H CO 

F 

CO 



194,173 

191,519 

260,465 

1,250,000 

1,537,000 

2,343.000 

2,391,197 

2,694,000 

3,062,941 

5,994,044 

9,881,383 

13,209,403 

14,620,225 

14,316,705 

'32,315,358 

20,550,936 

! 25,279,884 

20,479,679 

'35,734,846 

30,024,936 

48,051.431 

10,859,401 

14,579,093 

9,278,501 

16 724 717 

35,118,386 



155,290 

200,000 

236,000 

247;000 

1,500,000 

4,097.925 

4,056,000 

6,084,000 

9,360.000 

7,847,000 

9, 794,0.") 1 

12,386,216 

12,768.488 

17,411,473 

13,326,637 

111,483,796 

, 9,900,768 

,21,946,284 

'30,987.864 

20,087.294 

|30, 148,060 

35,892,985 

46, 727,418 

54,665,055 

47,922,889 



co *< 



296,325 

276,720 
243,000 
314,000 
850,000 
1,500,000 
2,342,988 
3,432,000; 
3,797,000' 
3,000,000 
1,116,000 
4,668,939 
5,611,895 
3,320,507 
4,526,419 
3,521,526 
5,310,423 
2,055,202 
5 081,865 
6,812,420 
7,861,404 
7,398,465 
7,633,265 
9,679,840 
8,869,882 
12,212,265 



56,232 

118,348 

123,082 

162,000 

118,000 

250,000 

490,289 

687,000 

728,000 

977,000 

530,000 

1,156,412 

809,149 

1,288,020 

1,507,988 

1,551,321 

1,534,221 

2,122,263 

2,293,186 

3,002.041 

4,105,132 

5,185,350 

4.965.231 

3,523,461 

3,233,307 

,4,096,735 



COMPARATIVE STATISTICS. 
Below is a table showing average yield (omittiug fractions) of wheat, corn 
and oats for Kansas, Illinois and Indiana as given in the report of the Commis- 
sioner of Agriculture, Washington, D. C, for the term of seven years from 1882 

to 1888 inclusive: 

WHEAT. 

Kansas— Geueral average, fourteen bushels; Illinois — General average, 
twelvebusbels; Indiana — General average, twelve bushels. 

CORN. 
Kansas — General average, twenty-nine bushels; Illinois— General average 
twenty-seven bushels; Indiana — General average, thirty bushels. 



-10- 

OATS. 

Kansas— General average, thirty bushels; Illinois— General average, thirty- 
four bushels; Indiana — General average, twenty-eight bushels. 

That is. Kansas leads both Illinois aud Indiaua in wheat, in average pro- 
duct! ju per acre for the seven years. Kansas leads Illinois in corn, in average 
production per acre for the seven years, and falls below Indiana for the term of 
seven years only one bushel per acre, and this includes the corn on the ground 
just broken, known as sod corn. Kansas leads Indiana in oats in average 
production per acre for the seven years, aud falls below Illinois but little over 
four bushels per acre. 

This period includes 1887, the most disastrous crop year in the history of 
Kansas. 

Products of the Year 1889. 

The following are the reports for the year 1889 of the crops named : 

Wheat 35,030,048 bushels 

Corn 273,888,321 bushels 

Oats 47,922,889 bushels 

Irish Potatoes 11,432,482 bushels 

THE AREA OF KANSAS. 
The total area of Kansas is 52,288,000. In 1865, only 243,712 acres of 
this territory were under cultivation, in 1885, only twenty years later, the 
number of acres under cultivation had reached 14,252,815. The table 
given below shows the area under cultivation, and the value of the crops pro- 
duced in Kansas, each year, from 1880 to 1885, inclusive: 



YEAR. 



1880 

1881. 

1882. 

18S3. 

1884. 

1885. 



ACRES IN CROPS. 



, 8,868,884. 
. 9,802,719., 
.11,043,379.. 
.11,364,040.. 
.13,011,333., 
.14,252,815., 



VALUE OF CROPS. 



.163,111,634. 
. 91,910,439. 
.108,177,520. 
.106,707,529. 
.104,297,010. 
. 92,392,818. 



VALUE OF FARM CROPS. 

The total value of the farm crops of Kansas for the five years ending with 
1870 was 159,298,000. For the next five years, their value was $135,958,000; for 
the next five years, $264,334,000; and for the five years ending with 1885, the 
farm crops of Kansas *» mounted in value to $503,485,000. In these twenty 
years, the crops produced in Kansas had an aggregate value of $963,076,000 

The value of the farm products of Kansas from 1876 to 1880, inclusive, 
amounted to $356,557,000. Their value from 1881 to 1885, inclusive, reached 
$738,676,000. * 



-11- 



Total Acreage, Products and Value of Field Crops for 1889. 



ACRES. 



Winter Wheat bu. 

Rye bu. 

Spring Wheat bu. 

Corn bu. 

Barley bu. 

Oats bu. 

Buckwheat bu. 

Irish Potatoes bu 

Sweet Potatoes ,....bu 

Sorghum 

Castor Beans bu. 

Cotton lbs. 

Flax lbs. 

Hemp ... lbs 

Tobacco lbs. 

Broom Corn lbs. 

Millet and Hungarian tons 

Timothy 

Clover 

Orchard Grass tons 

Blue Grass 

Other Tame Grasses 

Prairie under Fence tons 

Total 



1,550,947 

294,626 

88,838 

6,820,693 

6,373 

*1,392,098 

4,xss 

109,417 

6,615 

324,61)3 

21,158 

1.393 

113,329 

'248 

699 

39,583 

431,714 

487,425 

132,591 

10.003 

94,586 

51.718 

4,838,907 



16.821,572 



PRODUCT 



35,030,048 
5,850,080 
1,189.803 

273,888,321 

175,405 

47,922,889 

69,990 

11,432,482 
77!J 783 



VALUE. 



187,520 

511,900 

1,115 849 

178,600 

419,400 

23.749,800 

863,428 



$19,842,573.77 

1,536,998.27 

588,127.44 

51,649,876.18 

47,829.77 

7,654,812.83 

41,994.00 

3,892,229.90 

412,296.70 

t4,217, 757.60 

240,835.55 

40 952.00 

1,115,849.00 

8,680.00 

41,940.00 

831,243.00 

3 453,712.00 



776,323 1,583,86-S.OO 



2,456,984 7,370,952.00 



$104,572,498.00 



fAcres harvested. 



*Not including product of sugar factories. 

SUGAR MAKING. 

Several years of faithful effort in connection with sugar making are begin- 
ning to receive their reward. As the result of continued experiment, progress 
is being made in the manufacture of sugar from sorghum. The cultivation ofthe 
sorghum cane, and the production of sugar by the most approved scientific 
processes are securing results that will, it is coufidently believed, at an early 
day place the sorghum industry on a successful and paying basis. 

The climate and soil of Kansas produce large crops per acre of the best var- 
ieties of sorghum cane, and the cane attains to tbe highest degree of perfection. 
Every year adds to our knowledge of the culture and manufacture of sorghum, 
and brings us nearer to great and profitable results. 

The experiments made in some counties in the manufacture of sugar from 
sugar beets are encour. ng, and promise to be of practical value. 

COTTON AND SILK. 
Of course, the cultivation in this State of cotton and silk is as yet experi- 
mental. An encouraging beginning has been made. The report of cotton for 

the year 1888 was: 

Acres. Pounds. Value. 

2,150. 645,000. $51,600. 



-la- 

Those who are officially connected with the silk culture report that the in- 
terest in this industry is increasing throughout the State with encouraging 

prospects. 

FRUIT TREES AND FRUIT. 

The exhibition of fruit made by Kansas at the Centennial at Philadelphia, 
in 1876 was a success so brilliant that it attracted and charmed all visitors. It 
was as well deserved as it was complete and undeniable. When the sod was 
broken in Kansas and tbe first claim shanties were built, the thoughtful settler 
having come to stay, did not cease from their work until they had planted 
nurseries and orchards. They got the choice and tried varieties, and cultivated 
them even at the price of great labor. 

Large crops of apples, pears, peaches, cherries, grapes and other fruits, are 
annually raised in Kansas. In quality and flavor the fruit is unsurpassed. 
The bright sun and the moving air are specially favorable to the coloring and 
perfecting of apples. Besides the large supplies needed for home consumption, 
there is every fall a demand for winter apples shipped in refrigerator vessels to 
supply other markets. 

The various branches of horticulture are each year receiving more intelli- 
gent attention and results are very satisfactory. This table shows the number 
of apple, pear, peach and cherry trees reported as bearing in 1889: 

Apple. Pear. Peach. Cherry. 

4,849,000. 117,000. 4,226,000. 1,057,000. 

SMALL FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. 

Without quoting tables, it is sufficient to say that in Kansas small fruits 
give generous returns under judicious care and handling. The soil and the 
climate are especially adapted to most varieties of small fruits, and to the cul- 
ture of grapes. Vineyards bear liberally, and the grapes are of excellent ap- 
pearance and flavor. 

Vegetables, melons, all garden products grow readily, and are of excellent 
quality. The variety of soils ranging from the richest sheltered valley to the 
high prairie with its sunny exposure, gives opportunity for selection with refer- 
ence to the habits and needs of the tree or plant. 

LIVE STOCK. 

From the beginning of her history, Kansas has given great attention to the 
business of stock raising. In all respects the State is well adapted to the suc- 
cessful and lucrative prosecution of this industry. As before stated stock is 
often brought through the winter with less than six weeks feeding. 

No young state has taken more pains or expended more to secure the best 
breeds of stock of all kinds, than Kansas has done. The result has been the ob- 



-!• 



taining by Importation and otherwise, of large number of horses, cattle, swine 
and sheep of the breeds that in this country and in Europe have proven to be 
the most desirable and profitable. 

Each year shows an increase in the returns of milk, butter and cheese. 
Dairy products are steadily assuming greater importance in the list of articles 
that bring wealth to the people of the State. Diseases of horses, cattle and 
sheep are not as prevalent and are less fatal than in the East. 

It is believed by many that the solution of the question of transportation 
to the eastern markets of the immense crops produced in Kansas is to be found 
mainly in connection with feeding grain to stock, instead of shipping it 4 to 
market 

Large demands for fat cattle and hogs are springing up within the State, in 
addition to the demand for home consumption. Great numbers of cattle and 
hogs are required to supply the demand of the packing houses that have been 
established within the last few years. 

Below is a table showing the number and value of the various kinds of live 
stock for the year 1889: 



Horses 

Mules and Asses .. 

Milch Cows 

Otber Cattle 

Sheep 

Swine , 

Total 



NUMBEB. 



719,394 
90,357 

723,552 
1,738,436 

293,853 
2,631,955 



VALUE. 



$57,551,520.00 

8,132,130.00 

13,023,936.00 

26,076,540.00 

734.632.50 

10,607,707.50 



$116,126,466.00 



HUNTING AND FISHING. 

Kansas is a paradise for sportsmen. It is true the lordly buffalo which 
once roamed our plains in countless thousands has disappeared, and except in 
the extreme western part of the State deer and antelope have also been exter- 
minated, but smaller game still abounds, and the markets of the State in season, 
are always well supplied with quail,ducks, prairie chickens, plover, curlew, snipe, 
geese, rabbits, etc. By wise legislation prairie chickens and quail are protected 
until well grown, and are shot only in October, November and December. Net- 
ting and trapping game birds are prohibited, and as the shelter of hedge and 
timber increases the delicious quail are multiplying all over the State. 

From October till April wild geese and ducks abound, feeding on the wheat 
fields in day time and seeking the rivers and ponds at night. 

We have known a single sportsman to bring down from fifty to one hun- 
dred geese and ducks in one day, every condition being favorable. 



-14- 

The ducks which are of all varieties, from the delicate teal to the far famed 
canvas back, Mallard, sprigtail, butter ball, spoonbill, red head, etc., abound — 
a few nesting here, and staying through the year, though the great majority 
migrate. 

In April the several varieties of plover appear, and the smaller kinds afford 
good sport all during the spring and fall. The large brown plover and curlew 
are plenty in April and May, but go north for the summer. 

While Kansas sportsmen ought to be satisfied with such a goodly array of 
game, they sometimes lay for heavier prey and consequently will frequently be 
tound silently folding their tents and quietly stealing over the border into 
Uncle Sam's great game preserve of the Indian Territory. There the wild 
turkeys still exist in great numbers. Deer are abundant, and occasionally a 
black bear may be seen in the canons of the Medicine River. 

Kansas does not claim to be a great State for fishing, still all the streams 
with rock bottom abound in the gamey black bass, and favored sportsmen 
have caught specimens weighing over seven pounds. In the streams and 
ponds of sandy or muddy bottom are found catfish, buffalo, eels, sunfish, perch, 
and occasionally a wall-eyed pike. The German carp is being cultivated and 
thrives in our waters. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

The people of Kansas, being mainly devoted to agriculture and stock rais- 
ing, have not yet made great advancement in the department of manufacture 
as compared with older states. And yet it is believed that thenexl census report 
of the United States will show creditable returns from Kansas in this depart- 
ment. Several of our counties have considerable capital invested in manufac- 
turing enterprises. 

There are in several of the largest cities a great number of manufactories of 
various kinds employing many millions of capital. There are in the State 
about one hundred and fifty flouring mills alone, with a capital employed of 
about $7,000,000. The immense smelting works of the State are claimed to be 
the largest of their kind in the world. 

It is said that the annual product of the one gold and silver smelter is $18,- 
000,000. It produces one-fifth of all the silver and one-fifth of all the lead 
smelted in the United States. Five hundred men are employed aud the wages 
paid them average higher than those paid by any other manufacturing institu- 
tion in the United States. 

Beef and pork packing houses, on an extensive scale, and requiring large 
capital for their operation, are carried on at several points in the State. 

Water power is abundant, and it may be easily utilized. The deeper min- 
ing of coal, and the consequent obtaining of coal in larger quantities than form- 
erly and of better quality steadily tend to enlarge the supply of fuel and to 



15 - 

diminish its cost, and thereby to increase the facilities for establishing and 
maintaining manufactures on a remunerative basis. 

It is the opinion of practical men who have given the matter careful study 
that there are many lines of manufactures that may be profitably conducted in 
Kansas, and that sound policy requires not only diversified agriculture — the 
growth of a large variety of crops — but for the same reasons diversified industry— 
the turning of labor and capital into a great variety of channels. A mighty 
agricultural state promotes the wealth and independence of its citizens by the 
judio'""'? establishment of manufactures. It is certain that the manufacturing 
interest will make a larger figure in Kansas history in the future than it has 
done in the past. 

CHANCES TO INVEST MONEY. 

Every new State needs capital to develop her resources. This is particularly 
true of Kansas. The resources are so great and varied that any amount of 
money, if carefully invested, would pay a large interest. 

Starch — Corn is king, and starch is made from corn. Coal is abundant and 
pure water abounds. There should be and no doubt before long there will be, a 
number of the largest starch factories in the Union — as yet, little or nothing is 
done in this industry. 

Canning Fruits and Vegetables — These abound, yet little has been done in 
taking care of them by canning factories. 

Paper — The materials from which paper is made abound everywhere, and 
there is no limit to the capital that might profitably be employed in paper mills. 

Buying Farms— An investment that will surely be safe and remunerative 
is the purchasing of land at the prices for which it can now be bought. 

Mining for Coal is profitable and safe. 

Salt Mining is just opened with all its possibilities. We have enough of 
this valuable deposit to supply the world. 

Factories for the production of farm implements are needed everywhere; so 
are bag factories, oil mills, and sugar- sorghum mills. 

City and Town Property that will yield a paying rate of interest can be 
bought in many places at such figures as to invite purchasers for the mere pur- 
pose of investment. 

EAILEOADS. 

In 1865 there were but forty miles of railroad in Kansas. December 31, 1889, 
there were in the State 8,806 miles of railroad. This fact fairly illustrates the 
unequaled material progress that has marked the history of the State during 
the past twenty-five years. 

It ia a conceded fact that the railroads have been a powerful factor in pro- 
moting the marvelous growth and development of Kansas. They now reach 



-li- 
nearly every portion of the State, In their efforts to supply the demands of travel 
and transportation. They are operated with enterprise and liberality. 

The people and the railroads having mutual interests, are working in cor- 
dial harmony for the promotion of those interests. All parties understand that 
the interest of each is the interest of all, and therefore each and all are working 
on the basis, not of antagonism, but of intelligent co-operation. 

SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS. 

Generous provision is made by the State for the education of the young. 
The children of the poor and of the rich are furnished equal advantages, and 
they are educated side by side. The common schools, open without charge to 
all the youth of the State, have the direct support and fostering care of the 
State. The system of control and instruction is judicious and it is administer- 
ed with fidelity and ability. The high reputation of her schools is the boast of 
the State. 

The successful maintenance of schools is by no means restricted to the older 
and wealthier sections of the State. In some cases on the frontier, in the newest 
communities, all the schools in the county are held in houses such as the 
pioneers themselves occupy, yet thorough instruction is given by competent 
teachers. 

The following figures for the year 1889 indicate the vigorous style in which 
our efficient common school system is doing its work: 

Estimated value of school property $9,794,428 

Number of school buildings 8,819 

Number of organized school districts 8,987 

Number of teachers required 10,592 

Number of school districts having at least three months school 8,698 

School population 524,206 

Kansas also maintains a State University, a State Agricultural College and 
State Normal School. Each of these institutions has a full corps of teachers and 
a large number of students, in all of which instruction is free. 

Besides the State schools and several private institutions, there are in Kan- 
sas some thirty colleges and universities, mainly under denominational control. 
These denominational institutions report an average yearly attendance of more 
than 4,000 pupils, and buildings and other property valued at$l,700,000. 

The State has erected and liberally maintains two hospitals for the insane, 
a hospital for the deaf and dumb, a hospital for the blind, a school for im- 
becile youths, an industrial school for girls, a Reform school for boys and a State 
reformatory school for males, between the ages of 16 and 25 years, who have not 
been sentenced to a State prison. 



-lt- 

CHURCHE8. 

Nearly all of the religious denominations known throughout the country 
are established, and actively at work in Kansas. The churches are characteriz- 
ed by a degree of enterprise similar to that which marks the secular life of the 
people. 

The reports of twenty -four denominations for the year 1888 show the follow- 
ing figures: The number of organizations is 3,185; of members 283,716; of edi- 
fices 1,956; and the value of church property is $6', 415,937. 

NEWSPAPERS. 

The number of newspapers and periodicals published in the State is about 
nine hundred. In this list, including weeklies, dailies and monthlies, all the 
counties of the State are represented. It is emphatically true, as shown by the 
postoftice returns, that the citizens of Kansas are a reading people. As a rule, 
the press of Kansas is able and public spirited, and it has had its full share in 
achieving for the State its wonderful progress at home, and in winning for it 
its honorable reputation abroad. From the peculiar circumstances connected 
with its early history the newspaper press of Kansas has always drawn su- 
perior men to the ranks of its editors. Among them are men who, in point 
of knowledge of books and the world, of wit and humor, of clear and forcible 
style, of fearless and chivalri ccourage, are easily the equals of the most dis- 
tinguished editors this country has produced. 

HEALTH. 

Tables showing the rate of mortality have not been kept, yet there can be 
no doubt as to the fact that Kansas compares favorably with any state, east or 
west, as regards the health of her people. The rolling surface of the country, 
and the ravines furnish fine natural drainage, and as a result there are no 
swamps nor marshes to breed fever and malaria. Many persons coming from 
the East to Kansas find their health greatly improved, especially by residence 
in the western portion of the State. 

The per cent of insanity is shown by the tables to be lower in Kansas than 
in some of the best of the eastern states; for example, lower than in New York 
and Massachusetts. 

CITIES. 

March 1, 1889, there were in the State eight cities, containing a population 
from 10,000 to 36,000 each, and twenty-eight cities, each containing a population 
of 2,500 or upwards, and sixty-five cities, each containing a population of 1,000 
or upwards. 



-18- 

Almost every one of the counties, uno hundred and six in number, has as 
its county seat a thriving town, which furnishes good facilities for markets, 
churches, schools, etc. Those whose employment or preference leads them to the 
towns will find in these smaller county seats, as well as in the larger cities, 
good opportunities for work and investment. 

INCREASE OF VALUES. 

In 1860, the true value of all the property of the State was estimated at 
$31,327,000. In 1870, it had grown to $188,892,000 ; in 1875, to $242,555,000. In 
1885, the valuation, at a very moderate estimate, was $>j50, 000,000. 

The increase in the total assessed values from 1865 to 1875 was $85,434,000 ; 
the increase in assessed values from 1875 to 1885 was $127,300,000. 

In 1888, the total assessed valuation of the different classes of property, as 
per abstracts of county clerks, was as follows : 

Lands $169,124,636.00 

Personal 56,641,623.00 

City Lots 74,462,136.00 

Railroad 53,009,288.00 

Total $353,237,683.00 

The assessor's returns are made on a basis of one-third of the value of the 
property and the valuation placed on all property is less than one-half its actual 
value; so that to ascertain the true valuation it will be necessary to multiply the 
above figures by six. 

ROOM AND INVITATION. 

The area of Kansas is so large that, notwithstanding her wonderful in- 
crease in population, she still has room for millions more. In point of cultiva- 
tion, the State has hardly been touched. In the matter of possible production, 
the record of the State has but begun. 

That which Kansas needs and desires is increase of population, of labor and 
capital. Without concealment, she seeks these, and she does so equally in the 
interest of those who are now here, and of those who may come. A good bar- 
gain is one by which both parties are benefited. Kansas invites immigration, 
for the benefit both of her citizens, and of those who may become citizens. 

We are proud of our record and of our position. Our development, ma- 
terial, educational, social, moral, shows for itself. Our country is unsurpassed 
in soil, in climate, in opportunities for making an independent living. Our 
people, in sentiment and practice, are favorable to economy, sobriety, industry, 
and order. They are tolerant, liberal, intelligent, and ambitious. Along the 
line of diversified agriculture — in the encouragement of manufactures, mining, 
and all diversified industries — our people foresee far more splendid achievements 



-19- 

than any yet reached. They cordially invite to share with them, in their work 
and in their success, men of all honest callings, and of whatever birthplace, of 
whatever creed or party. They invite within their borders, men and women, 
the poor and the rich, native and foreign born. They believe that on these 
healthful prairies, and in these fertile valleys, may be built up a State, popu- 
lous, rich, and stroug — a State of smiling farms and busy shops, of schools, 
newspapers, churches, and peaceful homes — an imperial State, midway between 
the oceans, and serving as the New Keystone of the grander Union of the future. 



KANSAS. 



In the galaxy of States you will find no brighter star 

Than our own fair State of Kansas, leading most of them by far, 

In the fullness of her prestige, in the arts of peace and war, 

And her future mirrored brightly on the ages yet afar ; 

With her streams of winding beauty, flowing through enchanting vale- ; 

Where her woodlands skirt the water shedding beauty through the dales, 

With her rolling hills and canons, forming landscapes truly grand, 

And her limitless prairies an unbounded sea of land. 

Laden with the wealth of ages, waiting for the plowman's share 
To upturn its hidden treasures to the sunshine and the air; 
Waiting that the seed be planted, when a harvest shall spring forth 
That will feed the coming thousands from the East and from the North , 
Coming to this land of promise that they may secure a home ; 
Coming from the weary winter, t' where its rigors are unknown ; 
Where the yieldings of the summer are not swallowed up in feed, 
For the teams which did the tending, leaving not a peck for seed. 

Where the cattle feed on pasture, from the third until the twelfth, 
Leaving but three months of resting to this source of endless wealth ; 
Where the plowman turns his furrows from the first day of the year, 
Through all seasons, till December ushers in its Christmas cheer. 
Here a man can be a freeman, and an owner of the soil, 
Sit beneath his "vine and fig tree," and reap due return for toil; 
And the hoardings in the stocking, ne'er be drawn upon to spend, 
All the savings in endeavor, that an end shall meet an end. 

We invite the honest toiler to this garden spot of earth, 
And extend the hand of welcome to these men of sterling worth ; 
For we need them "in our business," in the schools, and in the church, 
And we need a few for office, that can keep themselves from smirch. 
Stay not on the sterile hillsides, pulling roots and picking stones; 
Seek this land of milk and honey, leave the hillsides to the drones. 
We have room for brawn, and brain, and for energy galore, 
And tho' thousands now are coming, there is room for thousands more. 

E. P. Ford. 



-21- 

ALLEN COUNTY. 



r pOCATION: Located in the second tier of counties from the east line of the 
IV State and in the fourth tier from the south line, is one of the most accessi- 
ble to visitors from the east of any in Kansas. It is only four hours from 

Kansas City, with which it is connected by the Southern Kansas and the M 

K. & T. railroads. 

Physic al Featubes: The greater part of Allen County lies within the 
Neosho Valley, conceded to be one of the richest in the State. The Neosho 
river flows through the county, and receives within its bounds numerous 
large tributaries, by which the county is well watered. It has a large propor- 
tion of bottom laud. The banks of the streams are well wooded so that fuel is 
abundant and cheap. Away from the streams the country is gently rolling, 
presenting a beautiful landscape, all but an insignificant proportion of which is 
susceptible of cultivation. The soil on the upland is deep and rich. Water is 
easily reached everywhere and there is hardly a quarter section on which a 
stock pond can not be constructed at very slight expense. 

Products: Corn is of course the great staple, although wheat is success- 
fully raised in the bottoms. But all the crops adapted to this latitude, — oats, 
rye, flax, broom corn, castor beans, potatoes, etc.,— are successfully raised here. 
Flax may be mentioned as a specially successful and profitable crop, averaging 
last year not less than twelve bushels, and some fields going as high as sixteen 
bushels per acre. In the line of fruits Allen County has a specially proud 
record, having won the gold medal for the finest display for apples at the New 
Orleans Exposition in 1885, and having taken the first premium at four suc- 
cessive State Fairs. There has never been a total failure in fruit since our 
orchards were old enough to bear. 

Towns: Iola, the county seat, is situated at the crossing of the Southern 
Kansas and Missouri Pacific railroads. It has splendid schools, a diploma from 
which entitles its holder to admission to the Fresham class of the State Uni- 
versity, several commodious churches and a large number of handsome resi- 
dences. The "Iola Carriage and Omnibus Works" are located here and occupy 
a capacious building. There are two large flouring mills and other manufac- 
turing establishments. Natural gas is now being utilized for fuel in private 
houses, while a company with large capital are engaged in drilling additional 
wells. The thing that Iola most "banks on," however, is her marble quarry. 
It has been recently discovered that the whole city is underlaid with an inex- 
haustible bed of stone which experienced men, such as Townsend Bros., of 
Ohio, and Anderson, .of Michigan, pronounce superior in beauty, strength and 
durability to any marble found elsewhere in the United States. Humboldt and 
Noran are the other incorporated cities of the county, and both are pleasant 
and flourishing towns. 

Cheap Land: Owing to the fact that the title to a large body of laud in 
the county was in controversy for a number of years, Allen County is not near- 
ly so thickly settled as it would otherwise have been, farms can now be bought 
here at a much lower price than prevails in other parts of the State for lands of 
the same grade and similarly located. The controversy alluded to is now hap- 
pily ended, purchasers may have no fear but that their deed will convey a per- 
fect title, and the result will inevitably be a rapid advance in prices. 

Come now while you may still acquire a home at a price that will make it 
the most fortunate investment of your life. 

Remember that in coming to Allen County you come to a county where so- 
ciety is already settled, where churches and school houses are already built, 
where there are railroads, newspapers and all other adjuncts and conveniences 
of civilization. We can't tell it on a single page, but come and see for yourself 
that what we 'have said is but a faint shadowing of the actual attractions and 
inducements offered by Allen County to the home seeker. Address 

D. B. D. Smei/tzer, Director, Iola, Kansas. 



-«2- 

ATCHISON COUNTY. 



rT7HE County of Atchison lies in the north-eastern part of Kansas, and is 
^ 1 4 one of the most productive and progressive counties in the State. It 
contains a population of 40,000, and a total area of 271,720 acres, of which 
215,158 are under cultivation. The fertility of the soil is excellent, and the 
crop yields per acre for a series of years compare favorably with those of any 
other county in the .State. The average value of farm lands is about $22.50 per acre 

According to the assessor's returns for 1889, the value of farms, implements 
and improvements was $7,176,074, an estimate which the most competent 
judges say is much below the actual value. 

The report of the State Board of Agriculture, for the year 1888, gives the 
total value of crops raised during the year as $1,343,484.23. 

Coal has been discovered in several sections of the county, and arrange- 
ments are now being made to prospect in various localities with a view to 
develop the coal deposits which undoubtedly exist. 

The public schools of the county are unrivaled, and very liberally supported 
by the people. The number of school districts is eighty-two, and the value of 
school property about $250,000. 

Railroads traverse the county in every direction, affording the farming 
communities rapid and easy access to the best markets. A large quantity of 
very. desirable farm lands is offered for sale at prices and terms which will be 
found advantageous to those seeking farms in Kansas. 

Quite a number of thriving towns have grown up in the county, the largest 
aud most important being Atchison, the county seat, railroad center, and 
commercial metropolis of Kansas. It is situated on the Missouri river, in the 
north-eastern part of the county, and forms a natural gateway into the State. 
It contains a population of 25,900, and controls a most extensive trade in the 
surrounding region, its commercial importance being second to none. 

All the grand trunk lines of railroad center here — thirteen in all — affording 
our merchants communication with the finest agricultural country in the 
world, reaching the immense cOrn, hog, and cattle area of Southern Nebraska, 
and Northern Kansas, the most fertile corn, hog, and cattle producing region 
on the globe, and which annually ships more hogs and cattle through Atchison 
to eastern markets than any territory of equal area on earth. The wholesale 
trade of the city amounted in 1888— the only reliable figures now obtainable — 
to $40,000,000, being larger than that of any other city in Kansas. Our bank- 
ing institutions are the pride and the stay ol the city, having withstood every 
strain that was ever brought against them, and now have over $1,200,000 in 
capital and surplus invested in the business. Besides our very excellent public 
schools, we have four colleges, two of which have been erected within the past 
year, through a subsidy liberally contributed by the tax payers of the city. 

The city is thoroughly lighted by electric lamps, has nearly ten miles of 
paved streets, a good water supply, street car lines, and all other essentials 
necessary for comfortable and happy living. 

Our manufacturing industries are very extensive and diversified, rivaling 
those of any other city in Kansas. 

The report of the State Bureau of Labor statistics for 1888, shows that the 
four flouring mills of Atchison manufactured during that year 39,591,662 pounds 
of flour, and that their capacity was 1,400 barrels per day. Our mills are now 
shipping flour to Liverpool, a fact noted with pride by all the papers in the 
State. Our vitrified brick plants have been established but two years, and not 
only furnish all the brick for our own streets, but have taken several outside 
contracts besides. In the past two years they have paid out for labor and ma- 
terial over $175,000. 

Atchison wants more factories, and offers substantial inducements to those 
wishing to engage in manufacturing in the West. It also affords room for all 
kinds of mercantile establishments, and will extend a warm welcome and sup- 
port to all who visit us, whether prompted by curiosity alone, or by a desire to 
make a permanput residence among us. For further information, address 

R. B. Drury, Director, Atchison, Kansas. 



-2»- 



BARBER COUNTY. 



1" pOCATED in the center of the southern tier of counties., adjoining the Tn- 
IV dian Territory. Contains 1,134 square miles, sufficient for 4,536 farms of 
160 acres each. It has a population of 8,500; taxable wealth, $3,500,0! 0; 
divided into lands, $2,200,000; town lots, i 600,000; personal property, $400,000; 
railroad property, $300,000. Property is assessed at 33£ per cent of its real value 
so the actual wealth of the county exceeds $10,000,000. The couuty was settled 
and organized in 1873. It has never asked for and has never needed one dollar 
of outside aid; has never had a crop failure; has four incorporated cities, these 
being Medicine Lodge, the county seat; Kiowa, the gateway to the Cherokee 
Strip; Hazleton, in the center of the richest agricultural belt; Sharon, ten 
miles east of the county seat, in the rich Sharon valley. These towns are all 
prosperous with churches, schools, and good society. Other smaller towns are 
Lake City, Sun City, Aetna, Mingona, Deerhead, Hardtner, Elm Mills, and 
Isabel. The county has three lines of railroad: The Santa Fe, running to 
Hazleton, Kiowa, Sharon, and Medicine Lodge; the Missouri Pacific, going to 
Hazleton and Kiowa; a id the Mulvaue extension of the Santa Fe, running 
through the northern part of the county. The county is the best watered of 
any in Kansas, its never failing streams being supplied by cool springs of pure 
water. Most of the streams are skirted by timber, and from each reaches out 
broad second bottoms; rich as those beside the Nile. The soil is very deep, im- 
pregnated with gypsum and sand; never bakes, is easily tilled, and responds 
with wonderful productiveness. The county is free-range, the only one in this 
part of Kansas that is. This feature permits the farmer to handle stock without 
a great outlay of money for fencing. There was marketed last year, live stock 
raised in Barber County amounting to more than $500,000. The wheat crop 
in 18S9, averaged, in the county, 24J bushels to the acre, while many fields 
went as high as 50 bushels; corn averaged 45 bushels, and 75 bushels was a fre- 
quent crop; oats yield from 40 to 75 bushels; millet from 4 to 6 tons. Prairie hay 
is plentiful everywhere; many farms are being provided with alfalfa, from 
which three and even five crops are cut each season. The county has raised 
good cotton and there is a gin at the county seat. Its sorghum sugar industry 
is now known to the world. The sugar works at Medicine Lodge started late 
in 1S89, produced over 500,000 pounds of sorghum sugar, and from beets grown 
on four acres made 10,000 pounds of beet sugar. The works are being enlarged, 
a refinery put in, and this season they expect to manufacture 4,000,000 pounds 
of beet and sorghum sugar. Farmers who raised sorghum for the mill realized 
from $20 to $30 per acre for their labor; they will realize double this on the 
sugar beets they plant. The county has about 100 organized school districts 
and 75 school houses, those at Kiowa, Hazleton, and Mediciue Lodge being 
large, brick, modern buildings, heated by steam. There are churches or church 
organizations in every town, city, and neighborhood. The immense gypsum de- 
posits are being utilized by a cement and plaster manufactory at the county 
seat that will ship out from three to five car loads of manufactured product, 
daily. There are deposits of marble, sever' ". colors, in the western part of the 
county. The county has two successful creameries, one at Hazleton, and one at 
Medicine Lodge; two large flouring mills, one at Hazleton, one at Elm Mills; 
five newspapers, the Index and Cresset, at Medicine Lodge; Herald and Jour- 
nal, at Kiowa.; and Express, at Hazleton. Land is worth from £3 to $30 per 
acre. Stock needs feeding but three months in the year. The farmer can 
usually plow with his coat off three hundred days in the year. There are more 
sunny days than in any county, sunny Italy not excepted. 

For further information, address 

W. L. Gamble, Director, Hazleton, Kas. 



-04- 



BARTON COUNTY. 



rT was organized in 1872, and has an area of 900 square miles; Is located about 
midway of the state, north and south, and the next county west of the 
geographical center. The county seat is Great Bend, situated on the Great 
Bend of the Arkansas River. Several other important towns in the county are 
well located and prosperous: Ellinwood, Hoisington, Pawnee Rock, Claflin 
and Olmitz, all situated in fine localities, with good farming country around 
them. The surface of the county is gently rolling, and of first and second bot- 
tom lands; it has neither high bluffs nor "sand hills," and about all good till- 
able land. The first settlement was made in 1870, and it now has a population 
of 13,000. The soil is dark, rich, deep, loam and is watered by the Arkansas 
River, Walnut and Cow Creeks, all living streams, and several others part of 
the year. Also has an abundance of good pure well water that is never failing. 
Barton county has made quite a success in tree growth, and has many flue 
groves of young timber, and quite an amount of natural timber along the 
streams. Many farmers are successful in fruit growing, and in a few years fruit 
will be grown and bearing all over the county. The natural grasses of this 
county are the Blue stem, bunch and Buffalo varieties; the first two are good 
summer grasses, the latter is a fine fall and winter grass, and especially valu- 
able for winter grazing. Alfalfa clover grows finely, and is raised quite exten- 
sively; red clover and Timothy are being sown and do well, as the land is long- 
er cultivated. Blue grass grows splendidly, and many fine lawns are now seen 
in Great Bend and other towns of the county. The county is therefore espec- 
ially adapted to stock raising, there always being an abundance of forage, and 
water during the dryest years, and with the long pasturing season and short 
winters, stuck raising is quite profitable. In several townships of our county, 
creameries have been built, and in these localities farmers are making the milk 
pay nicely, in connection with the raising of stock. Salt beds are found in the 
southern part of the county, and north of the Arkansas River a bed of rock salt 
of excellent quality, over one hundred feet in thickness has been tested and is 
found as nearly pure as any in the state; where this test was made a flowing 
well of salt water is constantly running out over the prairie and is quite percep- 
tably increasing in flow and quality and is the only known well of the kind in 
the State. One of the most important features of our State is the public schools 
and no county of the state takes more pride in her schools than Barton. Over one 
hundred organized districts and schools in our county. Graded schools at Great 
Bend and otber towns of the county. The Central Normal College is located at 
Great Bend. This institution is but a little past two years old and is already 
taking rank among the best institutions of learning of our country; it has at 
this time over two hundred students in attendance and is daily increasing. A 
large and commodious brick building of twenty-four rooms, pleasantly located, 
with boarding houses, rooms and conveniences for students surrounding 
it, makes it pleasant, healthy and in every way deserving the patronage it has 
now and in the future will receive. Churches of the various denominations 
are well established and attended. The different business and professional in- 
terests are well represented. Four large flouring mills whose capacity is 1,000 
barrels per day; machine shops, Water Works, Street Railway and other good 
improvements usual to cities of Kansas. The inhabitants of the county are 
generelly native Americans and Germans. Barton County stands at the front in 
crops of all kinds, but for want of space can only give of wheat, corn and rye; in 
1884, wheat sown 84,518 acres; yield 2,112,95,0 bushels, being third in the State 
in bushels and first in yield per acre; in 1886 — 41,127 acres, yield 740,286 bushels 
being first in the state by 167,086 bushels; in 1889—82,578 acres; yield 2,332,528 
bushels, being second in" the state in bushels and first in yield; in 1890 we have 
not less than 120,000 acres sown, and at this season has never looked better in 
the history of the county; corn, 1889, 2,000,000 bushels; rye 250,000 bushels. 

For further information address J. W. Bbown, Direotor, Great Bend, Kan. 



-25 

BUTLER COUNTY. 

ITS MATERIAL WEALTH AND RESOURCES. 

'ITUATED in the south central portion of the State of Kansas, and thirty- 
five miles north of the Indian Territory, is the County of Butler — the 
largest county in the State — being thirty-four and one half by forty-two 
miles in area. The soil ot the county can not be excelled by that of any part of 
the United States. The general surface of the county is undulating, and is di- 
vided into bottom lands, second bottom, and upland or prairie. Butler is the 
best watered county in the State, being traversed by twenty-three running 
streams, fed by never failing streams of the purest water. The banks being 
strewn with a vigorous healthy growth of natural timber. The bottom lands 
along these streams are from one to two miles in width. The main stream is the 
Walnut river with its twenty odd tributaries. These streams furnish excellent 
water power facilities. 

Butler County has nearly one million acres within her borders, sufficient 
for 100,000 people, yet she has but 26,000 inhabitants. Of this area 260,554 acres 
are in cultivation, which leaves about 640,100 acres which remain as they came 
from the hand of the Maker. The productiveness of these lands can no where 
be equaled; corn frequently makes ninety bushels per acre, and wheat has been 
known to produce fifty. Butler County, in 1889, produced 5,499,160 bushels of 
corn, 1,144,830 bushels of wheat, and had 4,730 acres of Irish potatoes, 46,000 
acres of sorghum, 270 acres of broom corn, and 13,760 acres of millet, which pro- 
duced an estimated crop of three tons per acre; flax grows luxuriantly. 

On March 1st., 1889, Butler County had on hand 393,322 bushels of old corn, 
4,493 bushels of wheat, and 8,711 tons of tame hay and 72,692 tons of prairie hay. 

The assessors for 1888 make returns of: 1,193 acres of Timothy, 127 acres of 
orchard grass, 463 acres of clover, 402 acres, of blue grass, 363 acres of other tame 
grasses. As a fruit country, Butler ranks a No. 1, and has 200,000 bearing fruit 
trees; apples, peaches, plums, and cherries are very prolific, and grapes are spec- 
ially adapted to this soil and climate. Butler County has hundreds of miles of 
hedges and thousands of acres of cultivated forests. 

As a stock country she knows no superior, her nutritious grasses and pure 
water, free from all alkali substances, place her out of reach of all competitors. 
In 1889,she had 15,318 horses, 1,767 mules, 69,101 cattle, 49,245 sheep, 59, 780 swine. 
Value of animals sold in 1888, 1666,712; wool clip 1888, $284,937; cattle fed for 
market off of the crop of 1889, 36,000. Butler County has a population of 26.000 
people, and has 174 school houses, 8,917 children of school age; employs 214 
teachers, who are paid an average salary of $40.67 per month. Butler County 
has always been well governed, to the extent that as a county, she owes not one 
dollar of bonded indebtedness. 

Butler County is traversed by four great trunk fine railroads, and possesses 
202 miles of railway, a main line of the Atchison, Topeka & SantaFe from Flor- 
ence, extends through the county from north to south, passing through the 
towns of De Graff, El Dorado, Augusta, Gordon, and Douglass to Galveston. 
The Missouri Pacific from east to west, and along the line may be found Rosalia 
Pontiac, El Dorado, Towanda, and Benton to Wichita, with a branch to .New- 
ton, passing through Potwin, Brainerd, and Whitewater. The Rock Island 
crosses the northwest cornerof the county, crossing the Missouri Pacific branch 
at Whitewater. The St Louis & San Francisco passes through the south half 
of the county, from east to west, passing through the towns of Beaumont, 
Keighly, Leon, Haverhill, Augusta, and Andover to Wichita. The Santa Fe 
road also has a branch from Augusta to Mulvaue, and the Frisco a branch from 
Beaumont, through Latham to Winfield. In the religious world Butler County 
is fully represented. 

ElDobado is the county seat and has a population of 6,000. This town 
forms an end of a division on the Missouri Pac road; this gives it the advantage of 
a monthly pay-roll of $20,000. The town is supplied with gas, electric fight, 
and water works. Augusta, twelve miles south of El Dorado, is the next town 
of importance In the county — it contains 2,500 inhabitants. Douglass, twelve 
miles south of Augusta, is next with l,500jpeople. Then in order comes Leon. 
Whitewater, Brainerd. Latham, Potwin, Towanda, and Benton. 

Por further information address C. C. Turner, Director, El Dorado, Kan. 



-26- 

CLARK COUNTY. 



a LARK COUNTY borders on the Indian Territory, is the fifth from the 
west line of the State, has an area of 975 square miles, and was organized 
in 1885. The surface is a rolling plain, the highest portion Leing in tne 
northern part. The south half of the county lies in the Cimarron valley. 
Streams of living water prevail in nearly every township. The Santa Fe R. R. 
gives trunk connections with Wichita and Kansas City, west to Ashland, 
thence southwest to Englewood, the present terminus. The Rock Island R. R. 
passes through the northwestern part of the county, Minneola being its prin- 
cipal station. The towns are Ashland, the county seat, in the central part, 
Lexington in the eastern, Minneola in the northwestern, Cash City in the 
western and Englewood in the southwestern part. Excellent building stone 
and brick clay are abundant. The soil is black and mulatto loam, very deep 
and productive. The Cimarron river and its tributaries make the south half 
of the county one vast valley. Pure and wholesome sheet water underlies this 
broad valley at a depth of from 10 to 30 feet, affording good wells. The soil all 
over the county works nicely and never bakes; it retains moisture and germi- 
nates with wonderful regularity. The rain fall, which averages about 23 inches 
per annum, is mostly confined to the growing season. The wild land is easily 
brought to a good state of cultivation, and from the first is adapted to grasses, 
grain, fruit, vines and vegetables. Corn is a staple here as in the rest of th< 
State. Wheat is one of our best crops and never fails. Fields frequently aver 
age 30 bushels per acre. Ashland will have a first-class flouring mill in opera 
tion by July 1st, 1890. Rye, barley, oats, millet, broom-corn, sorghum and 
vegetables are successful crops. Castor-beans prove profitable. Stock raising 
is one of our ever valuable industries. The native buffalo grass makes a rich 
>asturage, which cures where it grows, rendering the use of tame feed un- 
necessary during any portion of the year. Cattle live on our prairies the year 
round by grazing. The cost of raising cattle is reduced to the minimum. A 
herd of i,000 cattle in this county was neither fed nor sheltered last winter and 
the actual loss from December, 1888, to September, 1889, was but eight head. 
Cows cared for in this manner, increase eighty per cent, per year, and with 
extra care and some feed in bad weather, will increase ninety per cent. Beef 
can be raised on our ranges for one cent per pound, and four year old steers 
ready for the market have not cost to exceed $8.00 or $10.00. Horses and sheep 
can be raised as profitably, but require more attention. Farming and stock 
raising can be combined with the best results. Wild blue stem hay can be cut 
in large quantities, and from five to ten tons of cane per acre can be raised. 
With such forage stacked in the pasture for bad weather, a small herd requires 
but little attention during winter. Hogs are successfully raised. Alfalfa and 
cane make excellent forage, and both grow luxuriantly. The Wichita packing 
houses, but a few hours distant, can handle one million hogs annually. One 
of the most important considerations in contemplating a new country is the 
healthfulness of the climate Our air is pure and bracing. The surface of the 
country is rolling and slopes to the southeast; there being no stagnant water, 
the country is free from malaria. We have no local causes for disease. Colds 
and sore throats are almost unheard of. Many persons who have settled here 
have become entirely cured of long-standing diseases. This county is settled 
by intelligent and industrious people from nearly every state. The few foreign- 
ers here are naturalized, and are among our most thrifty citizens. Churches 
Jiave been built and schools established in every part of the county. Presby- 
terians, Methodists, Baptists, Christians and Catholics have organizations and 
several good, substantial church edifices. Good farm land can be bought for 
from $5.00 to $10.00 per acre, according to location, improvements, etc.; pasturo 
land at from $2.50 to $5.00 per acre. Parties not wanting to pay all cash, can 
usually have from two to five years' time on half the purchase money, at seven 
per cent. Taxes average about $10.00 per quarter section. 
For further information address 

C. P. Woodbury, Director, Ashland, Kansas. 



CLAY COUNTY. 



a LAY COUNTY lies about one hundred miles west of the Missouri River 
and in the second tier of counties south of the Nebraska state hue. It has 
an area of 660 square miles or comprises 422,400 acres of excellent land, 
suitable for a diversified agriculture. About twelve per cent of the area is bot- 
tom land, the remainder upland. Nearly the entire area can be cultivated there 
not being more than five per cent of waste land. The bottoms are level with- 
out being marshy, the uplands are beautiful stretches of undulating prairie rich 
in soil, yieldiug bountiful crops. There are no hills nor steep ascents and the 
whole presents a scene that pleases and fascinates the eye as it wanders over the 
gentle like swells dotted with farm houses and beautiful groves. At any season 
of the year the roads are good and perhaps with as little effort upon the part of 
the people to make them so as anywhere else in the world, and it is seldom that 
the heaviest loads cannot be easily drawn to market. It is well watered by the 
Republican and its numerous tributaries. Timber sufficient to supply the agri- 
culturist with all that he needs for posts, poles, etc. Good water is obtainable 
at a depth of twenty or twenty-five feet on the bottoms, and on the uplands 
forty to seventy-five feet. Magnesia lime stone, excellent for building purposes 
can be had cheap. The productiveness of the soil cannot be excelled elsewhere. 
The magnitude of the crops many seasons if told would seem the fabrications of 
one who had but little regard for the truth. Yet the corn crop of 1889 amount- 
ed to 9,100,000 bushels or an average of sixty bushels per acre. The wheat 170,- 
000 bushels or an average of twenty-two bushels per acre. The oat crop 1,600,- 
000 or an average of forty-five bushels per acre. Fruits of all kinds are success- 
fully grown. Schools and church facilities are excellent in the rural districts. 
Good farms convenient to market with fair improvements can be bought at 
prices ranging from $15 to $25 per acre. 

Clay Center, the county seat, is located on the east bank of the Republican 
river, partly in the valley and partly on the gentler slope that rises as you 
leave the valley. Naturally the drainage is good securing to the resident a pure 
and wholesome atmosphere. It is a wide-awake thriving city of 4,000 inhabi 
tants; has three hotel buildings, one of them the most handsome and costly in 
Northern Kansas, completed and furnished at a cost of $125,000; the Holly sys- 
tem of waterworks; three as fine school buildings in point of architecture and 
equipments as grace any city of its size, costing its people $60,000; two opera 
houses, a street railway line and is illuminated with electric lights. Has sever- 
al costly church edifices and the congregations of thirteen churches assemble 
in their' own buildings. Two well equipped flouring mills that ship annually 
great quantities of their products toother markets. Several elevators of large 
capacity, three newspapers two national and one State bank, capital of each 
$50,000. The secret societies of the I. O. O. F., the K. P., the A. O. U. W., and 
the several lodges of the Masonic order have many members and are in a flour- 
ishing condition. 

Six passenger trains daily arrive and depart over the Kansas Central 
Junction City & Ft. Kearney, and Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroads. 
No better location for manufacturing, as there is water power that is only part 
ly utilized ready to put in motion machinery of all kinds and many manufac- 
tured articles can be as cheaply produced here as anywhere with the advan- 
tages of turning them out at the immediate point of consumption, saving to the 
consumer the cost of long transportation, and enabling the manufacturer to un- 
dersell those who m - "t ship long distances. Beside rents and food are cheap 
and there are no satu^- to demoralize workmen and all that is conducive to 
good health and morals exists. The water power propels the machinery of a 
large flouring mill, an elevator and is the motive power of the electric light 
plant. It is sufficient to operate any number of manufacturing enterprises, to 
which our people would give substantial assistance. For information address 

Director of Immigration, Clav Center. Kansas. 



- 28- 

COFFEY COUNTY 



rS LOCATED in the heart of the great Neosho valley, a valley that is noted 
evei^-where for its richness of soil and wonderful production of almost 
everything iu the way of grains, grasses and vegetables. Good unimproved 
lands can be had at from $6.00 to $15.00 per acre, ',ud improved farms from 
$10.00 to $50.00. The surface of the county is a gontle, rolling prairie, with 
scarcely any waste land; the soil is rich black, and is from two to fifteen feet 
in depth. The Neosho river runs through the county from the northwest to 
the southeast and is fed by more than twenty creeks, some of them from fifteen 
to twenty miles in length, making it one of the best watered couuties in the 
State, and good, pure well water can be had at an average depth of twenty feet. 
There are also numerous springs in the county. The river and creeks are 
skirted with timber. The county is well supplied with railroads. The A., T. 
& S. F., the Mo. P. and the M. K. and T. traverse the county in all directions. 
There are ninety -three school districts in the county, and each provided with a 
substantial school building costing from $600 to $1,000. There are also fifty-two 
church buildings in the county. 

Towns. — Burlington, the county seat, is located on the Neosho river, iu 
the geographical center of the county, and has a population of 3,000. The A., 
T. & S. F. and the M., K. & T. railroads pass through it. When the A., T. & 
S. F. road is completed from Gridley to a connection with the southwestern 
system, a distance of but 14 miles, Burlington will be on the shortest and most 
direct route from Kansas City to all the great southwest. She has three news- 
papers, three banks, waterworks, an electric light plant, two elevators, nine 
churches, one brick yard, one carriage factory, one brick school building, cost- 
ing $28,000, one ward school building costing $6,000, and numerous fine busi- 
ness blocks. It has magnificent water power ready to be utilized for any man- 
ufacturing purposes. It has a magnificent roller mill and elevator, just com- 
pleted, with a capacity of 160 barrels per day. 

LeRoy, the second city in the county, has a population of 1,000, is a rail- 
road center, forming, as she does, the end of four freight divisons of four lines 
of the Mo. P. railroad. She is beautifully located on the Neosho river, sur- 
rounded by a fine agricultural country; has one newspaper, two banks, two 
mills, one of which has all modern milling machinery, one elevator, one car- 
riage factory, several churches, two of which were built the past year, a fine 
school building, and the educational interests are well looked after and presided 
over by a principal and four assistant teachers. 

Waverly, in the northeast part of the county, at the junction of the A., T. 
& S. F. and Mo. P. railroads, has a population of 800. It is one of the best 
shipping points in the county. She has one newspaper, one bank, two eleva- 
tors, fine churches, a brick school building costing over $8,000, neat and sub- 
stantial residences, located in the heart of a fine agricultural country. 

Lebo is in the northwest part of the county on a branch of the A., T. & S 
F. railroad, and has a population of 750; has ten stores, two hotels, mill and 
elevator, one bank, one newspaper, good church buildings, graded schools, and 
all branches of business are represented. An abundance of an extra quality of 
coal underlies the country. 

Gridley is situated in the southwest part of the county, at the present ter- 
minus of the A., T. & S. F. railroad and on a branch of the Mo. P. road; is a 
new town in a fine country, and has 250 inhabitants; all branches of business 
are represented; she has a fine school building, one newspaper, and churches. 

Aliceville, a new town in the east part of the county, is on the main line of 
the Mo. P. road, and has a population of 200 and is growing steadily. 

For further information address 

J. E. Watrous, Director, Burlington. Ransaj, 



r 



29- 

COMAN CHE C OUNTY. 

8 located in south central Kansas, on the Chicago, Kansas & Western rail- 
road, one hundred and twenty-five miles west of Wichita, and borders di- 
rectly on the Indian Territory. The broad, fertile valleys of Kiowa, Cav- 
alry Mule, Nescatunga, Salt Fork, and Santanta traverse the county the entire 
length. To these cau be added several expanses of beautiful, level land, known 
as '' Koller Flats, Missouri Flats, and Mill Creek bottoms." 

Comanche County has about three hundred and fifty miles of streams witb 
running water, which, together with the many never failing springs, place the 
county at the head of the list in supply of pure water. Wells of excellent 
water may be obtained at any point iu the county by digging from ten to sixty 
feet. Our soils will compare favorably in depth and productiveness with any 
in the South-west, and comprises different varieties, among which are the 
alluvial deposits of the bottom lands, the black, sandy soil, and the red or mu 
latto loam of the uplands. . 

Where proper attention has been given, every department of agriculture 
has proven a success in Comanche County. The standard cereals produce good 
crops besides broom corn, sorghum, castor beans, peanuts, and all kinds oi 
vegetables are successfully raised. Wheat, rye, and corn are the principal pro- 
ducts and have been found to yield abundantly. Cotton and tobacco, of good 
quality also mature well here and serve as auxiliary crops. Fruit trees, of all 
kinds grow vigorously in every part of the county, and, as the climate and 
soil correspond so neatly with the great truit growing districts of the country, 
we have no hesitancy in recommending the culture of all classes of standard 

and small fruits. ■ . 

Comanche County is truly the paradise of the man who desires to raise 
horses cattle, sheep, or hogs. The abundant supply of healthful water; the fine 
natural shelter afforded by the wooded canyons, the mildness of the climate, 
and the convenience to market, combine to make this pursuit most profitable. 

We have had the misfortune to have a large amount of the best land in the 
county pre-empted by young men who have failed to become permanent settlers, 
and now these lauds are placed on the market at nominal figures and can be 
bought for small sums in excess of what it cost the pre-empter. 

Comanche has in several parts of the county a very fine building stone, 
which is used for stone buildings, foundations, and trimmings for brick build- 
ings A very excellent quality of brick clay is also found. In the south-west 
part of the county, on the Cimarron river, may be found immense natural beds 
of the purest and best quality of salt. The great Santa Fe system of railway 
runs entirely through our county, from the north-east to the south-west corner. 
The system gives Comanche county good transportation to the eastern markets 
and enables us to cope with southern counties. . 

But Comanche proposes to lead, not follow. Our citizens realizing the ne- 
cessity of direct transportation facilities to the mountains of Colorado and New 
Mexico as they also do the advantages of reaching the deep watei harbor at 
Giivest'on on the Gulf, have chartered a road beginning at Denver. Col., to run 
via Coldwater (the county seat of Comanche County) with a terminus at Gal- 
veston This brings direct to our farmers the markets of the world, and places 
us in position to compete successfully with any agricultural county in the West. 

The agricultural interests of Comanche County are great, and she presents 
advantage's in this respect that can not be excelled in the great south-west. 
Her livestock is thrifty, healthy, and fat, and for raising horses, cattle, sheep, 
and swine, no place offers greater advantages. There never has been a se ison 
in the history of the county when an industrious farmer could not raise suffi- 
cient food for his stock— corn, hay, sorghum, etc. There is now upwards of 
fourteen thousand acres of wheat sown iu this county and it could not possibly 
be in better condition. Coldwater has in course of erection a complete roller 
process flouring mill, and it is confidently expected that next year the wheat 
acreage will be double if not greater. It is often said that farming does not pay; 
but this is wrong; farming and stock raising does pay in Comanche county, 
and pays well. For further information, address 

r J 8. M. Jackson, Director, Coldwater, Kansas. 



-t»0- 

COWLEY COUNTY 



aOWLEY COUNTY is located on the south line of the State, bordering on 
the Cherokee Strip, Indian Territory. It contains 1,130 square miles or 
739,840 acres. The surface is made up of prairie and bottom lands, as 
beautiful as the heart of man could wish and is oue of the finest watered coun- 
ties in the state; its principal streams being the Walnut an* 1 . Arkansas rivers, 
the latter passing from the northwest to the southeast, a distance of neatly fifty 
miles, while the Walnut crosses the county from north to south, a distance of 
thirty-three miles. The other principal streams are Grouse, Silver, Rock, Tim- 
ber, Muddy, Badger, Otter, Cedar, Steward, Crabb, Plum, Spring and Beaver 
creeks. All these streams are skirted with timber, have rich bottom lands now 
in a high state of cultivation. The timber of these streams consist of walnut, 
oak, locust, cottonwood, sycamore, mulberry, ash, elm, hickory and maple. 
These lands can be purchased at from ten to forty dollars per acre. The popula- 
tion in 1889 was 35,991. 

The variety of crops produced in this county are wheat, corn, oats, rye, bar- 
ley, buckwheat, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, castor beans, sorghum, cotton, 
flax, hemp, tobacco, broom corn, millet, blue grass, timothy, alfalfa and clover. 

In 1889 Cowley county had 46,698 acres in wheat, producing 1,242,550 bush- 
els and 129,282 acres in corn, producing 7,110,510 bushels. It is the first 
county in the state in horses, having 16,085. In cattle and sheep it is second and 
is one of the leading counties in hogs, having 38,293. 

Illinois and Iowa show an annual loss of hogs by cholera of thirty-three 
per cent or about one-third of the crop, while Cowley county, owing to its 
peculiarly healthy conditions show an average annual loss of less than three 
per cent. It also heads the list in orchards and fruits, having over 600,000 fruit 
trees in bearing. The total assessed value of all the taxed property for the 
year 1889 was $6,777,437.60. This represents from a fifth to an eighth of the real 
value of the property, so that a fair estimation of the value at this time would 
be from thirty to forty million dollars. 

Corn and wheat like some of the eastern states have made the staple crop. 
The country is, however, well adapted to stock raising of all kinds, and this 
year a large acreage of cotton will be planted, it having been demonstrated to be 
a profitable crop. 

The population is most entirely American ; the farms are well improved 
and school houses and churches are as numerous and convenient as in the older 
settled states. The principal town is Winfield, the county seat, with a popula- 
tion of 10,000; is centrally located and one of the best built cities in the State and 
is known as the city of beautiful homes and churches. The principle trade of 
the city is the trade* it has with the outlying country, and three large flouring 
mills with a capacity of 800 barrels per day. Besides the manufacture of flour, 
Winfield has a factory for the manufacture of mill machinery, a foundry and 
machine shop, several carriage factories and one of the principal industries is 
the large quarries of flagging and building stone. Most of the business houses 
of Winfield are constructed of this stone, quarried within two miles of the city 
limits and this stone is one of the principle articles of export Winfield is the 
largest produce shipping town In Southern Kansas; nine railroads radiate to 
all parts of the country. Winfield is one of the most beautifully located cities in 
the State. It has five graded schools, which furnish ample accommodations to 
1,600 pupils, a business college, and the Southwest M. E. College; the State Im- 
becile Asylum is also located here. The several church denominations have 
commodious and elegant places of worship. Secret and benevolent societies are 
well represented. It is also in the celebrated salt district, having within the 
corporation a flowing saline well. There is no more attractive city for home 
and business than Winfield. For information address 

E. B. Buck, Director, Winfield, Kansas. 



_31_ 

CRAWFORD COUNTY. 



aRAWFOED COUNTY is situated in the southeastern part of the State, 
and ranks among the first of the State in agricultural resources, there 
being no waste laud in the couuty, and every one hundred and sixty 
acres within its twenty-five miles square makes a first-class farm. 

While having these advantages agriculturally, its chief boast is that it con- 
tains the only large and valuable coal deposit in the State, having in its eastern 
part over fifty thousand acres of coal land already prospected, bearing two 
veins of coal of excellent quality; the upper vein being from twenty to twenty- 
four inches in thickness, and the lower or heavy vein averaging over the entire 
field, a thickness of forty inches. This coal deposit has already brought to its 
center all the leading railway systems of the State, and they are now receiving 
their supplies of fuel from this locality. 

The principal city of the county is Pittsburg, with a population now of 
over 10,000 and growing rapidly. It is situated in the center of this coal field, 
and like its name sake in Pennsylvania, is already the chief manufacturing 
city of its State. It is now the principal zinc smelting point in the world, hav- 
ing six large smelting plants, comprising forty-six furnaces in all, with a daily 
output of spelter of one hundred and twenty thousand pounds. 

The coal already developed at this point, is comparatively speaking, inex- 
haustible, for figuring on a daily output of two hundred cars of twenty tons 
each, or four thousand tons per day, there is already laud prospected to 
supply such a demand for two hundred and fifty years. What adds to the 
value of this coal field is the large zinc and lead deposits of the adjoining 
county in Kansas to the south, and the zinc, lead, iron and timber of south- 
west Missouri. The latter named territory being entirely without coal centers, 
the smelting of the ores produced there at Pittsburg, which, while only of a 
few years growth, is soon to be the leading city of the State in wealth and 
population, on account of its natural resources. 

It already has a pay roll for mining alone of more than $200,000 per month 
and this is being increased all the time, as new mines and smelting interests 
are developed. 

Pittsburg, on account of its being a coal and railroad center, has already 
attracted the attention of manufacturers, as shown by its foundries, machine 
shops, boiler works, planing mills, etc., and is now known as the Smoky City 
of Kansas. 

The great growth of the State of Kansas as an agricultural State is unpre- 
cedented in the history of our country, but its manufacturing interests have 
not kept pace with the former and there is a field for the manufacturer in any 
line, Pittsburg, with its railroads and coal, offers the best of inducements for 
their locating; coal for manufacturing purposes being furnished for fifty 
cents per ton. This manufacturing interest also adds largely to the value of 
the adjacent lands for agricultural purposes, as the large population centering 
at Pittsburg makes a good market for the gardener and fruit grower, and there 
is a splendid opening for parties wanting to engage in these occupations. 

To the farmer, laborer, manufacturer, or any one wanting business and a 
home, come to Pittsburg, the manufacturing city of the South-west. 

Population of Pitts-bubg. 

First Census taken in 1887. 

1887 4,033 1889 5,407 

1888 8,000 1890 10,000 

For further information, address 

Prank Playter, Director, Pittsburg, Kas. 



I 



-32- 



DECATTJR COUNTY 



rS IN the northern tier and the third from the west line of the State; it is 
thirty miles square, with rich, productive soil; it has 650 miles of running 
water, six water mills scattered along the Beaver, South and JNorth Sappa, 
Prairie Dog and North Solomon rivers; a steam roller mill at Oberlin with all 
the latest improved machinery ; this mill is now filling an order of a half mil- 
lion pounds of flour for the State of Georgia; she has 110 public school houses 
in which a term of six to nine months' school is taught annually, and a high 
school at the county seat where a finished education can be had. 

It has three lines of railroads passing through from east to west, — two lines 
of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, 
thus affording ample railway facilities to the great markets of the country. 

The county has seven newspapers. 

Located as she is in the center of the great corn belt of the nation, and on 
the line ot travel across the continent, with a rich, productive soil, pure water 
and healthy atmosphere, choice lands, a live go-ahead people, Decatur County 
bids fair to be the leading county of the northwestern portion of the State. 

Her debt is small, her management good, and taxes light, and in looking 
over the various counties of Kansas do not fail to see Decatur, for it offers you 
good farm lands from $4.00 to $12.00 per acre, according to location and im- 
provements. 

Population of towns on the B. & M. R. R: Oberlin, 2,000; Norcatur, 250; 
Kanona, 100; Cedar Bluffs, 100; Traer, 100. On C, K. & N. R R: Jennings, 
200; Dresden, 150. 

Oberlin, the county seat, is the great trade center of northwestern Kan- 
sas, and is centrally located in the Sappa valley; it has a splendid system of 
water works, several fine churches, — Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, Cath- 
olic, Baptist, Christian and Episcopal organizations; public high school build- 
ing, and a National Memorial College, founded by Miss L. A. Mints, where the 
children of Union soldiers and sailors receive a collegiate education free of 

charge. 

The U. S. land office for the northwestern portion of the State is located 
here, where homesteads, preemptions and timber culture rights are made and 
final proofs perfected. 

It contains a population of 2,000 people, has four newspapers, four banks, 
large hotels, steam roller mill, dry goods, grocery, hardware, implement and 
drug stores, some of which carry from $80,000 to $85,000 stocks. 

She also contains one lodge each of Masons, I. O. O, F., K. of P., Modern 
Woodmen, A. O. U. W., one post G. A. R, W. R C. and S. of V. Four livery 
stables, three smiths, one carriage, one wagon and one plow factory, four coai 
and two lumber yards, two elevators and three stock buyers. 

The grounds of the Decatur Co. Fair Association are just outside the city, 
where an annual exhibition of farm products, stock, and mechanical arts is 
held, and the display would be a credit to any county in the west. 

Maps of Decatur County and the City of Oberlin furnished on application. 

DECATUR COUNTY PRODUCTS. 

1888 1889 

Butter made 223,427 437,189 

No. of horses and mules 6,064 6,768 

No. of milch cows 5,208 6,450 

No. of other cattle 9,602 10.187 

No. of swine -. 12.384 16,149 

Val. animals slaughtered or sold . . $134, 1 8 1 1 73, 219 

Fruit trees 61,880 63,570 

Val. horticult'rl products market'd 3.937 4.720 

Aoreage artificial forests 1.717 a. 119 

Population in 1884 8,762 9,708 



1888 1889 

Under fence 105,142 170,130 

Farm acreage 316,669 380,169 

Winter wheat 4,068 6,424 

Rye 6,628 9,927 

Springwheat t 14,540 21,810 

Corn 56.664 59,750 

Oats 7.339 11,007 

Potatoes 17,054 20,075 

Corn on hand March 1st 258,2 3 457,015 

Wheat " " " 15,988 21,937 

Tons of hay cut 10,060 12,870 



For further information address 

Geo. W. Keys, Director. Oberlin. Kansas. 



-33- 



DICKINSON COUNTY 



T pIES in the center of the golden belt, consisting of rolling prairies and 
I \ broad valleys, soil of upland rich clay, loam, dark color, depth from two 
*■"* to five feet; second bottom lands, black loam, very little sand from two to 
five feet deep, lower bottoms black sandy loam of immeasurable depth. These 
lauds are exhaustless — twenty-five consecutive wheat crops have been raised in 
some lauds without fertilizing and last year yielded from thirty to forty bushels 
an acre, while thousands of acres have ibeen in corn for fifteen consecutive 
years, producing in 18S9 from fifty to ninety-five bushels per acre, (seventy 
pound bushels). Population 1879 10,428; population 1889 24,000. Value of farms 
in 1879^4,000,000, in 1889 $18,000,000. 

Crops of 1889— Wheat 47.000 acres, 1,000,000; corn, 120,000 acres, 6,200,000; 
oats, 40,000 acres, 1,600,000; rye, 6,000 acres 180,000. 

Hay cut 1889, 80,000 tons. 

Live stock in county December, 1889: sheep 20,600; hogs 29,000; horses and 
mules 18,000; cows, calves, feeders and fat cattle 55.000 head. 

Abilene, the county seat, has 7,000 inhabitants, two branches of the Santa Fe 
railroad, the Eock Island railroad and the Union Pacific railroad, whicb afford 
the best of railroad facilities in every direction. The city is lighted by electrici- 
ty, protected by the Holly waterworks system; civilized by fourteen churches; 
educated by six public schools, two of which are graded schools and the sisters 
of St. Joseph's college; informed and enlightened by one daily, three weekly 
and one monthly newspaper; and conveyed up and down her principal avenues 
for a distance of four miles is one of the best equipped street railways in Central 
Kansas. 

Herrington lies in the southeast part of the county, lighted by electricity, 
waterworks, an elegant opera house and two railroads. Solomon City, a town 
on the west has three railroads. Hope and Carlton in the south and southwest 
have railroads. Enterprise to the east, has water power mills and two rail- 
roads. Chapman is a little farther east with the county high school and rail- 
road advantages. Manchester to the northwest has two railroads. Other 
smaller towns in the county afford convenient markets for produce and stock. 

This article is not intended to boom town lots, but to persuade the practical 
farmers of the east to come and see this beautiful farming country and if they 
have money to invest to locate in Dickinson county. There are hundreds of 
rare bargains to be had now, both in town and county. Some elegant wheat 
and corn farms now in cultivation can be bought from 112 to $20 per acre while 
beautiful grass laud can be bought at from $5 to $10* an acre. 

The beauty and grandeur of Abilene, her location, the stir and bustle of her 
citizens, the elegant streets and the refined and tasty homes, the beautiful 
lawns, the cordial welcome always tendered to any one who visits there, all 
added is enough to enthuse a stoic. 

It is not unreasonable to expect property to enhance in Abilene as she is 
not an overgrown town and surrounded as she is bv the best county in the 
State her prospects are bright; and should the state capital ever be placed near 
the ceuter of population, Abilene and Dickinson county will make a vigorous 
effort to secure the prize. For further information address 

G. C. STEBli, Director, Abilene, Kansas. 



EDWARDS COUNTY. 



EDWARDS COUNTY is situated one tier of counties west and one south 
of the center county of the State of Kansas. It is watered by the Ar- 
kansas river, which flows through the center, and also by Big Coon, 
Little Coou, and Rattlesnake creeks. 

Kinsley is the county seat and is the junction of two railroads, the Atchi- 
son, Topeka & Santa Fe and the Chicago. Kansas & Western. Two bridges 
"span the Arkansas river near Kinsley. The soil is a dark, sandy loam, from 
three to fifteen feet in depth, and rich in all the deposits that tend to make it 
fertile and productive to a high degree. About one-fifth of the surface is bottom 
land, rich and alluvial, and where water can be reached at from three to eight 
feet. The uplands are accessible at gradual slope that is scarcely perceptible, 
and the soil is rich and dark, and while almost anything can be raised, it is 
probably better adapted for the cultivation of wheat and corn than any other 
kind of product. The result of experimenting in different parts of the county 
indicate, that while corn seems to do better in the lighter soil on the south of 
the river, wheat yields more abundantly in the heavier, darker soil on the 
north. Water can be reached on the uplands at a depth of from twenty to forty 
feet, and both on the bottom and upland is remarkably pure, entirety free from 
all alkaline or saline properties, common in some localties. The altitude of the 
county is about twenty-two hundred feet, and the climate is healthful to a de- 
gree that is bardly credible. There never has been a case of ague in the county, 
unless contracted in some other locality, and is only a question of a few days 
or weeks in such cases before it becomes entirely eradicated from the system. 
Hundreds of confirmed invalids who have tested the bracing and invigorating 
qualities of this altitude can testify to its efficacy in all throat and lung di- 
seases; all asthmatics experience instant relief after inhaling the pure and rati- 
fied atmosphere of this section, while comsumptives find in this part of the 
State a balm of Gilead and a new lease of life. For stock raising, Edwards 
County offers superior inducements; the winters are short and snow seldom 
lies on the ground to exceed three or four days after a storm. While cattle do 
belter in any country when provided with shelter, yet it is possible to carry 
them through here without it. The grasses are very nutritious; blue stem can 
be cut any time after July and up to the time of frost which seldom makes its 
appearance before October, it makes the best of hay; whilethesucculent buffalo 
grass, which cures on the ground is sought for and devoured with avidity by 
all kinds of stock during the winter up to the time that green grass makes its 
appearance which is usually about the middle of March 

Hog raising is a growing and lucurative industry, and at the present time 
is probably yielding quicker and larger returns than any other branch, owing 
partially to the extreme low price of corn, which can be bought in iarge or 
small quantities at from twelve to fifteen cents per bushel, aud also to the re- 
markable fact that there never has been a case of hog cholera in the county. 

Taking the report of the Kansas State Board of Agriculture of 1889 for au- 
thority, Edwards County averaged twenty bushels of wheat and thirty-three 
bushels of corn per acre and also the clipping of twenty-three thousand five 
hundred and twenty pounds of wool. Kinsley boasts of a flouring mill, of the 
patent roller process, with a capacity of one hundred and fifty barrels per day; 
a cheese factory, that during the summer season, turns out one thousand pounds 
of cheese per day, of as good quality as can be made in any State in the Union. 
There is another cheese factory at Lewis which produces as much and of as 
good quality. J. Ben Bennyworth, the pioneer of the sugar industry, has a 
plant in Kiusley that he lias been operating successfully for some years. 

Kinsley is a town of about 2,000 inhabitants. It has" six church societies 
and five churches Its school privileges are the best; it has two large two story 
brick buildings and a corps of male and female teachers who would be a credit 
to any community. Good land can be purchased at from $5 to $10 per acre, 
i For further information address Director Imigration, Kinsley, Kas. 



-85- 

ELLIS COUNTY. 



f pOCATED in central Kansas, on the Union Pacific railway. Surface undu- 
I \ fating prairie. Watered by the Saline, Big Creek and Smoky Hill rivers 
and their branches, all flowing eastward through tbe whole length of the 
county. Excellent water can be had anywhere by wells at six to fifty teet 
depth. The soil is black loam, easily cultivated, and the farmers are making 
fortunes raising wheat. The crop of 1889 was one and one-fourth million 
(1,200,000) bushels, which at fifty-five cents per bushel, gave $687,500 or $95 to 
each man, woman and child of the 7,200 population, and this independent of 
the bountiful crops of otber farm products. Very few farmers bad less than 
2,000 bushels of wheat. Mr. Gosser and Mr. Clark Peters, of Hays ( 'ity each 
had 14,000 bushels of wheat. Peter Quint, of Victoria, had 15,000 bushels of 
wheat. The profits of wheat farming are wonderful. For example, Alexander 
Staab, of Catherinstadt, had eighty acres that yielded thirty-five bushels per 
acre, which he sold for fifty-eight cents per bushel. The paid up cost of the 
crop was: 



Plowing, per acre $ 1 25 

Harrowing, per acre 15 

Drilling, per acre 40 

Seed, 1 bushel per acre 68 



Harvesting with header and stacking, pr acre$ 1 25 

Thre^hiug 35 bushels at 8c bushel 2 80 

Hauling to market at 2c bushel 70 



Total cost crop on car « 7 13 

Total cost per acre $ 2 38 35 bushels at 58c per bushel Ion an 

Net profit per acre .......[ * 13 17 

In other words, he spent three months labor on this wheat crop and re- 
ceived for it $1,624. It will be seen, too, that the cost of the wheat was twenty- 
one cents per bushel. 

John Gatewood, of Victoria, Kansas, drilled forty acres in corn stalks 
without plowing or harrowing. His yield was forty bushels per acre. Sold 
the wheat at fifty-eight cents per bushel, or $23.20 per acre, or $928 for a crop 
that cost bim $30 for seed, four days to drill, two days to cut (with header) and 
two days to thresh. Fortunes are in store for the Ellis County farmers. 

A farmer here with three good horses can raise in ordinary seasons from 
120 to 150 acres of wheat, while a farmer in the east with the same stock could 
not sow more than thirty to forty acres. 

Ellis County received third prize at the State Fair for agricultural products 
of all kinds. The State of Kansas embraces 106 counties, in which was raised 
36,000,000 bushels of wheat in 1889. Ellis County alone had 1,250,000 bushels 
on 44,000 acres of land, or one thirtieth of the entire crop raised in this State. 
Ellis County has 576.000 acres, so .you will see only eight per cent, of the land 
was cultivated in wheat in 1889. She has now in wheat 75,000 acres, and w< 
expect 2,000,000 bushels of wheat this year. As a grain producing county we 
are not excelled by auy county in the State. All the branches of stock raising 
are represented here. Sheep, hogs, cattle, horses and mules. The animals 
graze all the year round, except when prevented by snow, which never exceeds 
two to six weeks in any season. 

Hays City is the county seat of Ellis County, population 2,000. Has a 
creamery, three large stone flouring mills and eievators, the United States 
Millitary Reservation of Fort Hays, containing 7,500 acres, which adjoins the 
city on the south, is being ceded to the State for a State Soldiers' Home on the 
cottage plan. The law allows two and one-half acres to each cottage. In this 
way 3,00() soldiers and their families will be located thereon, which will make 
a population itself of 10,000. and will make Hays City the largest, town in the 
western part of the State. There is a bill before Congress to hold a term of the 
U. 8. Court at Hays City. It is also the point of crossing of the Omaha, Dodge 
City & Southern railway, now in course of construction, and the terminus of 
the Santa Fe line from Little River, now completed as far as Hollyrood. 

Ellis, twelve miles from Hays City, is the central division of the Union 
Pacific and is a fine business town. 

Walker, in the eastern part of the county, is a flourishing village and the 
center of a great farming district. For further information address 

S. C. PvAmev, Director, Hays City, Kansas 



-36- 



ELK COUNTY, 



HFEW FACTS and figures concerning a very desirable and profitable place 
to locate: Elk County offers superior inducements to new comers. We 
have, in common with Southern Kansas, a climate unsurpassed by any, 
soil capable of raising immense crops, an abundant supply of living water the 
county over, and can show a continuous record of successful farming from the 
first organization of old Howard County in 1870 up to the present time. Dur- 
ing all tbese years not one failure of crops has occurred, and partial ones have 
been few. The general surface of the county is gently undulating, but diversi- 
fied with enough hills to present a beautiful landscape view in almost every 
section. Tbe county is exceedingly well watered, having Elk and Fall rivers 
and the three Canas. The creeks are Paw Paw, Rock, Snake, Game, East and 
West Hitching, the three Painterhoods, Wild Cat, Mound Branch, Osborn's 
Branch, 'Clear Creek, Hickory, Bloody Run, Salt, South Clear, Coon's Branch, 
Indian, Rainbow, Duck, and numerous spring branches. The bottom land 
on these streams is not surpassed in the west, and all of tbem have more or less 
timber. Good land can readily be purchased at from $10 to $15 per acre, and 
the better class and more improved at from $20 to $30. on the easiest terms. 
Parties who are not fully financially able to make full payment on their pur- 
chase can secure abundance of money right in Howard at the very lowest rates 
of interest and on long time. The county is well supplied with railroads: the 
Santa Fe running through the county from north to south, the Southern Kan- 
sas from east to west, the St. Louis' & San Francisco through the northeast, 
and the Chanute & Longton Air Line through the southeastern. The county 
seat, Howard, is one of the most thriving towns in the State; population 1,500. 
Has five churches completed; a large and handsome school house capable of 
holding 500 pupils; a new three-story hotel building, 50 x 140 feet is now almost 
completed; there are three banks, one mill and not too many business 
houses and industrial institutions to supply the wants of the community. 
The county has also a number of other towns, viz.: Grenola, Moline, Elk Falls, 
Longton and Oak Valley, all thriving business places, beautifully located and 
surrounded by a fertile country. In the matter of schools the county is well 
supplied, having eighty-four excellent school houses and a corps of teachers 
second to none in the State. The county is comparatively out of debt, our 
total indebtedness being only $44,840, and money in the treasury. County 
warrants are cashed as soon as presented. We raised in 1889, 3,240,351 bushels 
of corn, an average of forty-three bushels to the acre; 78,568 bushels of wheat, 
an average of twenty-eight and one-half bushels to the acre; 27,305 bushels of 
oats, an average of forty-three bushels to the acre; 12,408 bushels of flax, an 
average of twelve bushels to the acre. We cut and put up 18 848 tons of hay 
made from cultivated grasses, and 31,842 tons of prairie hay. The total number 
ofacresinthe county i3 416,640, 104,160 acres of bottom," and 312.840 acres of 
slope and upland. The stock on hand March 1, 1889, was: cattle, 35,292; hogs, 
17,258; sheep, 3,077; horses and mules, 8,991. The total sales of cattle and hogs 
for the year ending March 1, 1890, for food purposes, amounted to $540,559. 
The shipment of egsrs alone last year was over 95,000 dozens The county is 
well supplied with fruit trees and small fruit of every description, bearing a 
large yield, size good and quality excellent. The people of Elk County are 
wide-awake, progressive citizens. New-comers are always welcome, and the 
present extremely low price of land makes it the best time to invest money 
profitably in land that the county has ever known. We need more people and 
give them a cordial invitation to "come and see us." Don't take our word for 
what the county is, but come and see with your own eyes one of the prettiest 
counties the sun ever shone on and as good as it is pretty. 

For further information address 

D. L. Hamab, Director, Howard, Kansas. 



-*7- 

FINNEY COUNTY 



PS it is. Finney County, situated in the western partof the State is the third 
north of No Man's Land and east of the Colorado line. It has an area of 
864 square miles, and is in the center of the famous irrigation district, 
which leads the State in the average annual yield per acre and the variety of 
production. The Arkansas river crosses the county near the center, supplying 
water to 141 miles of main and as many more nr"'es of lateral or distributing 
canals in actual operation with an additional L'i5 l.ules of main canal ready for 
use. 

The farmers of the county have demonstrated the remarkable benefits of 
irrigation, in insuring a largely increased average production per acre of crops 
of the best and most profitable sort. Alfalfa, the leading crop for profit, is ex- 
cellent as forage and yields four crops of hay each season or two crops of hay 
and one of seed, which at present low prices will make an average annual re- 
turn of $35 per acre. The crop once established is unfailing and thrives for an 
unlimited term of years. Corn yields forty bushels per acre; oats forty to one 
hundred; wheat fifteen to fifty; sweet potatoes three hundred; sugar beets fifteen 
to twenty-five tons. 

The present price of such land is $6 to $15 per acre, but many of the improv- 
ed farms cannot be bought for less than $30 to $40 per acre. 

Laud outside the irrigated areas has a well defined value and is specially 
adapted to stock raising, as having almost unlimited summer pasture, forage 
crops for winter use can be planted and grown, hiring all the work done at a 
cost not to exceed three dollars per acre. There is a long list of forage crops 
that will withstand the dryest seasous and in the worst years each ncre will 
produce enough to winter two head of cattle or horses in good condition In 
favorable years cane will yield ten tons per acre; millet three tons; corn forty 
bushels; wheat twenty-five bushels; rye and barley twenty-five bushels, and 
many other crops will do equally as well or better. Such land is worth from $3 
to $5 per acre, and will rapidly increase in value. 

Finney county has forty district schools. The total indebtedness is $40,000 
and the assessed valuation of 18S9 was -2,188,507. The rate of taxation for 
State and county purposes is $.00139. There are 90,000 acres of government 
land subject to entry under the United States Homestead Pre-emption and 
Timber culture laws, which offers special inducements to home seekers. 

Garden City, the county seat, is located in the center of the county on the 
A. T. & S. F. R. R. The road bed of the "Nickle Plate" railroad is completed 
to this point and its operation and extension to the coal fields of the southwest 
and connection with the deepwater harbor of Texas are foregone conclusions. 
The city has a fine system of waterworks; sewers line the business streets and 
shade trees border each residence street the entire length. There are five church 
edifices; two large brick school houses of thirteen rooms; a stone court house 1 ; a 
four story brick hotel 116x125, elegantly finished, fitted with all modern im- 
provements; another three story hotel of ninety rooms and many other brick 
and stone business blocks. -The banks of the city have an aggregate banking fund 
of $230,000. There are four weekly newspapers and one" daily. The United 
States land office is located here and yields a large revenue to the government, 
and affords business to the city. A large flouring mill is being built and will 
he ready to use this season's crop making 150 barrels of flour per day. 

Health, prosperity, free homes, cheap lands and perfect security in the 
production of valuable crops are inducements offered to all, and bine skies, 
laughing with sunlight will welcome the immigrant to the borders of Finney 
county. For further information address 

Jerome Smith, Director, Garden City, Kansas. 



-88- 

FORD COUNTY 



T^ AS a thrifty and enterprising population of over 7,000. The Arkansas 

15^ river flows through the county from west to east, ami the bottom lands 

form one-tenth of the total area. The county is well watered by Five 

Mile. Mulberry, Kiowa, Saw Log, Duck, Spring. Crooked and Buekuer creeks. 

The assessed valuation for 1889 was: real estate, $3,000,000; personal pro- 
perty, 200,000; railroad, $750,000. 

The railroads of the county center at Dodge City, the county seat, and 
have one hundred miles in operation and sixty miles projected. These roads 
are the A., T. & S. F., the D.>dge City, Montezuma & Trinidad, tbe C, K. 
& N. (Rock Island), the Omaha, Dodge City & Southern, and Wichita & 
Western. 

Ford County contains 691,200 acres of fine rich soil. Winter wheat sown 
in 1889, 2,911 acres, No. bushels harvested 46.576, value $23,288; corn planted 
20,345 acres, bushels gathered 366,210, value $91,555; oats sown 6,502 acres, bush- 
els raised 162,550, value $37,386; rye sown 1,474 acres, bushels raised 2*. 006, 
value $7,841; Irish potatoes 553 acres, bushels raised 60,836, value $39,539; 
sweet potatoes 64 acres, bushels raised 5,450, value $5,168; castor beans 168 acres, 
bushels raised 2,232, value $3,124; sorghum 4,719 acres, acres manufactured into 




value $57,080. There are 2,636 horses in the county valued at $21'i,870; 423 
mules aud asses valued at $38,070; 3,762 milch cows valued at £67,716; 6723 other 
cattle valued at $100,845; 241 sheep valued at $602; 1,824 hogs valued at $11,856; 
134,602 pounds of butter valued at $16,152 was produced from the milch cows, 
and also 6,705 pounds of cheese valued at $660. In addition to this, $4,544 
worth of milk was sold; the value of poultry and eggs sold amounts to $6,514. 
The year 1889 was not an average season for farmers, and the record will be 
easily doubled for 1890. 

Ford County has most excellent schools. Seventy teachers are employed 
at the average wages of forty dollars per month. 

The progress in this direction is shown by the fact that thirty good, sub- 
stantial school houses have been built in the last three years. 

Cities and Towns. — Dodge City, the county seat, is well known as an 
enterprising aud important city. It is an extensive railroad center, having 
two trunk lines to Chicago, and another in pr< cess of construction. It is a 
freight and passenger division for both the Santa Fe and Rock Island roads, 
and a division of the U. S. railway mail service. It has many advantages. 
The fine climate makes it a sanitarium; nowhere in the world does the year 
bring a greater number of delightful days. 

Water works, supplying pure, sparkling water in abundance, serve also to 
make beautiful lawns, where flowers and trees delight the eve; electric lights 
make night like day; fine business blocks; a magnificent city hall; first class 
opera house; good hotels; neat and commodious churches; a splendid public 
school system thoroughly graded; a fine new college conducted by an able 
corps of professors, and many other features of advantage conspire to make 
Dodge City specially attractive. 

Spearville is an important and thriving city, sixteen miles east of Dodge 
City, on the Santa Fe railroad 

Ford City, twenty miles southeast of Dodge, on the Arkansas river, is one 
of the flourishing cities on the line of the Rock Island and Wichita & Western. 

Buckliu at the junction of the main line and the Liberal branch of the 
Rock Island, is a prosperous town, surrounded by well improved farms. 

Bloom is located on the Rock Island near the south line of the county, 
and offers many advantages to investors. 

Wilburn, iu the southwest part of the county, is a beautiful village with 
school and church privileges. 

Howell, on the Santa Fe, ten miles west of Dodge City, is worthy of note. 

For further information address 

L. A. Lauber, Director, Dodee City, Kansas. 



GEARY COUNTY. 



TT7HIS COUNTY, formerly well known and widely advertised as Davis 
ti I la County, Kansas, is situated northeasterly from the center of the State. 
It includes portions of the valleys of the Kansas, Republican and Smoky 
Hill rivers and the adjacent uplands. The surface is beautifully diversified, and 
every part of the county is well supplied with water by the rivers and their 
tributaries, fed ' by numerous living springs. Also, with pure well water on 
almost every farm. The soil is a black, fertile loam, suited to all the grains, 
vegetables, fruits, and other crops, and products usually grown in this latitude. 
The climate is mild and healthful. 

The raising of live stock and other farm industries are carried on with 
profit. Horses, cattle, pork, wool, corn, wheat, oats, and other grains, fruits 
and dairy and poultry products are matters of profitable export. 

The vast water power of our rivers is easily and cheaply utilized. No region 
of the West is more favored in this respect than this particular section. 

Junction City is located at the reputed center of the United States, one 
hundred and thirty-eight miles west of Kansas City, at the end of the first di- 
vision of the Union Pacific railroad. It is the northern terminus of the M. r K. 
& T road, and southern terminus of the Junction City & Fort Kearney road. 
The town was laid out in 1858 on a site chosen for its many natural advantages, 
rich soil, easy grades for road making and travel, abundance of pure water, 
salubrity of climate, and beautiful scenery. The town is in the center of the 
great limestone region of the State and the magnificent quarries of building 
stone near the town are easily worked and inexhaustible. Two test borings 
have proven the existence of salt beneath the city, in endless quantity and 
great purity. The town is supplied with an admirable system of water works, 
cheaply operated by the city, supplying 500,000 gallons of pure well water per 
day. It combines the gravity and direct pressure systems, capable of throwing 
water to a perpendicular height of one hundred and thirty feet. The streets and 
business houses are brilliantly lighted with electricity, operated by water power. 

A company is organized to locate aud build a system of electric street rail- 
roads, connecting the city with Fort Riley. A telephone system, connecting the 
principal business houses and residences with each other, and with Fort Riley. 
The city has two banks, four weekly newspapers, one monthly magazine, one 
Board of Trade, one Buildintr and Loan Association , two railroad depots, two 
round houses, and other division buildings; ten church edifices, four stone 
school houses, with a capacity of 1.200 pupils, employing seventeen teachers; 
two private schools; one city hall and opera house; four public libraries. Esti- 
mated population, 6,000. 

Fort Riley is practically a suburb of Junction City. The military reser- 
vation c insists of 20.000 acres, including portions of the valleys of the Repub- 
lican, Smoky Hill, aud Kansas rivers, with wide stretches of variegated up- 
lands. Iu 1887, Congress authorized the Secretary of War to establish upon the 
reservation at Fort Riley a "permanent school of instruction for drill and prac- 
tice for tbe cavalry and light artillery service of the United States." One mil- 
lion dollars have been expended, and it will require half a million more to com- 
plete the improvements in process of construction. Fort Riley is fast becom- 
ing what it is intended to be, the largest and most important military establish- 
ment on the American continent. The entire post is heated by steam from a bat- 
tery of boilers, and possesses a most efficient system of water works. For* Riley 
is to be made headquarters for breeding the various grades of artillery and cav- 
alry horses, and a general recruiting station for the armies of the United States. 
In the breeding of horses the farmers of central Kansas will furnish the brood 
mares, and proper colts will be raised under contract. It is estimated that Fort 
Riley will. when in complete running order,accommodate 3,000 men and as many 
horses, and that the annual expenditures will not fall below $1,200,000 per an- 
num. Tins continuous monetary flow will be very beneficial to the business of 
Junction City and to the agriculture of the adjacent country. 
For further information address A. L. Barnes, Director, Junot. City, Kan. 



G-iiEPIELD COTT^TT-2" 



Is situated between the main line of the Santa Fe and Great Bend extension 
and about one hundred miles east of the west line of Kansas itnd a liitle 
over three hundred miles west of Kansas City. The soil is un- 
surpassed in fertility, and her building stone is a mar- 
vel of beauty and cheapness, it being found in 
abundance in all parts of the County. 
The sparkling water, bubbling 
from Springs form the 
noted and 

Which flows through the County from West to East, forming the best of 

drainage and the best watered bottoms for stock and 

hay to be found in Southwest, Kansas. 




Situated near the center of the County, has a beautiful location, and twenty- 
six miles north of Cimarron and twenty-six miles south of Dighton and 
midway between Ness City and Garden City; as also between 
Dodge City and Scott City, commanding the largest 
scope of country from which to draw trade of 
any town off' the railroad in the Western 
part of the State. 



Her supply of good pure water is inexhaustible and the thrift and enterprise 

of her People are shown in the 

T^TO STORY STONE SCHOOL IB XJITJIDT2&C3r, 

and a handsome Methodist Church building, several substantial stone 

business blocks, a number of good hotel buildings and other 

business and dwellings too numerous to mention. 



THE RAVANNA CHEESE FACTORY 

Has done a big business during this season, and carried off first prize at 
the State Fair at Topeka, Kansas; also a syrup factory and a 
Flouring Mill will be erected in Ravanna in a few 
weeks; the money for said factories being de- 
posited at Bank of Ravenna 
for that purpose. 



Ravanna is and will Remain the best town in Garfield County. 

ggpRAVANNA is out of debt. For further information address 

D. W. Herman, Director, Ravanna, Kansas. 



GOVE COTJNTV. 



pVOVE COUNTY, KANSAS, is situated on the Union Pacific railway, three 
1®> hundred and fifty miles west of Kansas City, Mo. Organized in Septem- 
^^ ber, 1886; population, 4,000. Thirty miles north and south, and thirty-six 
miles east and West. Undulating prairie, table and bottom lands Streams are 
Smoky river, Cheyenne, Salt, Plum, Hackberry, Spring and Big creeks, with 
numerous smaller creeks. Late the pasture for the vast herds of cattle, but 
promises rich harvests of wheat, rye, oats, broom corn, sorghum, flax, and 
corn, as the husbandman tickles the soil and plants the seed with the same 
care and intelligence that must be done in the developed localities further 
East The yield of wheat in the county last year was about 27,000 bushels, and 
this year will be from 200,000 to 2o0,000 bushels, there being ten acres 
sown to wheat this year where there was one last year. Other small grains 
have increased in proportion. The quality of the wheat is magnificent, and 
ranks higher than that grown in Eastern States. 

"Soil, a dark loam, eighteen inches to ten feet deep Water of the finest 
quality found at a depth of from ten to one hundred feet. Land unimproved, 
at from $3.50 to $7.0U per acre. Improved farms at from $6.00 to $12.00 per acre. 
This county has no debt; warrants are par and taxes nominal. 

We boast of being in the best condition financially, of any county in this 
grand State. No more healthful climate can be found, in fact, health seekers have 
ever found in this section relief and many restored to health, and all find im- 
proved strength and vigor. 

This is the home for horses, cattle, and sheep. With a little feed durfng 
January and February, they live the entire year upon the rich grasses with 
which this whole county is prolifically carpeted. That trees, fruit, etc. will 
grow here to perfection has been fully demonstrated. 

Of the towns in this county, Gove City, the county seat, is located in the 
geographical center of the county, twelve miles south of Grainfield on the 
Union Pacific railway. A young town, but full of life and vim. Her citizens 
are the peers of any community in energy, industry, morals, and intelligence. 
Gove City has never yet been cursed with a boom, and consequently business 
is not overdone. 

Grainfield, in the north center of the county, a bright little town, 
boasting of the hest improvements of any town of its size in the State, a re- 
fined population, and a splendid community. 

Grimell, nine miles west of Grainfield, is situated in the midst of a fine 
farming country and is one of the best trading points in the county. 

Buffalo Park, six miles east, of Grainfield and Quiuter fourteen miles 
oast are surrounded by wide scopes of country and are good business centers. 

Jerome is on the Smoky River in the south central part of the county, 
Alanthus and Teller in the southeast part. What has been said of the people 
or of natures gifts in any section or towns applies equally to every part of Gove 
County. 

Forty-seven school districts are already organized, the majority of them 
have commodious and permanent school buildings equal to the communities 
many years older. 

To the home seeker we extend a cordial invitation to see our favored county 
before locating and beconvinced that your interest will be advanced by making 
your abode with us. All fraternal societies have organizations here; churches 
of all evangelical denominations are represented. In fact we are a God loving 
and Satan fearing people. To see our County and break bread with our hospit- 
able peoole is to become one of us. For further information address 

J. E. Hart. Director, Gove City, Kansas. 



GRAHAM COUNTY. 



'Y^PUOSE natural resources cannot be excelled, is situated in the north- 
vXy western part of the State, is the second county from the Nebraska line 
and the fourth from the Colorado line, and contains 676,000 acres of 
land. 

If you are interested in the Great West, we ask your attention to a few 
reasons why you should see Graham County before deciding on a location. 
That the man with small means can easier get a start and one with large capi- 
tal makes more money than in the older parts of the country has been demon- 
strated over and over again. 

The general surface of the County is a rolling prairie with bottoms along 
the numerous streams. These streams, on some of which are belts of timber, 
make the county one of the best watered in the State. Wild plums, grapes, 
currants, etc., are also found in abundance along the streams, while all cultivat- 
ed vines make a remarkable growth here. 

The climate is as healthful as can be found in the United Sta t es, with very 
short and mild winters and long summers. The atmosphere being light and 
dry, is very beneficial to those predisposed to lung troubles. 

The soil, 90 percent of which is tillable is a rich sandy black loam and 
is very productive, being well adapted for all kinds of agriculture. In 1888, the 
poor crop year all over the country, Graham county produced forty bushels of 
corn per acre; oats fifty bushels; wheat twenty-five bushels, etc. In 18S9 wheat 
went from twenty to thirty-five bushels per acre, corn forty to sixty bushels, oats 
sixty bushels, potatoes one hundred bushels, broom corn five hundred pounds, 
and all other crops in proportion. 

Stock raising is very successful, as there is plenty of wild grass on which 
stock can subsist the year round, except when the ground is covered with 
snow which period does not exceed a month in a winter: thus the cost of keep- 
ing stock is very small. Our railroads offer ample opportunity for getting our 
products to market. There is plenty of good native stone in the county which 
can be sawed out and then being lei t in the air will harden so that it is excellent 
for building purposes. Many of our most elegant buildings are built of tbis 
stone. Hard sandstone also abounds. Choice farming land can be bought at 
from $5 to $12 per acre unless close to town. Thus with land so cheap and good 
building material so plentiful an eastern renter can come here and secure a 
home of his own for about the same price he would have to pay there for a 
single year's rent. Besides farm equities can be bought very reasonable, so that 
an industrious man with very little ready money can get a start and easily 
make enough to pay off the mortgage when it comes due ;then the legislature 
has wisety exempted $200 to the head of each family from taxation. 

The social educational and religious advantages of the county are excellent 
considering the fact that the county is so new. The people here are fully equal 
to those in the east in intelligence and enterprise and are industrious, happy 
and prosperous. There are seventy-nine school districts organized in the coun- 
ty with their school houses dotting the hill tops and prairies. All the princi- 
pal religious denominations are here and several have already erected very 
tasty and commodious church edifices. 

The leading towns of the county are Hill city, Fremont, Bogue, Penokee 
and Nicodemus, with six well-edited newspapers. 

Hill City, on the Solomon River, is the county seat and metropolis of the 
county, with an elegant $20,000 court house just completed and donated to the 
county by J. P. Pomeroy, the Boston millionare; a neat two story frame 
school house, several fine business blocks recently completed and others now in 
process of erection. For furtherinformation address 

L. Messick. Director. Hill City, Kansas. 



GREELEY COUNTY. 



BY LOOKING on a map of Kansas you will find this county adjoining 
the Stale of Colorado, and the center county north and south of the 
counties on the extreme western line of the State. It is traversed from 
east to west by the Mo. Pac. Ky., and the Great Bend extension of the A. T. & 
S. F. R. K. is built and in operation to its east line. 

The first settlers came to make their homes in Greeley in the spring of 1880, 
so that the county can truly said to b* in its infancy. It was temporarily 
organized July <Jth, 1888, and the county seat located at Tribune and the county 
permanently organized the following November. 

In order to give the reader an idea of the surface of the county, it is only 
necessary to state that a farmer may start with his team and plow at the center 
of the county, arrive at the east line without meeting an obstruction, come 
back to the same point and drive to south, north and west lines and never need 
to take his plow out of the ground. 

The county is twenty-six miles east and west and thirty miles north and 
south in extent. It has less waste land than any county in Kansas. It con- 
tains about 480,000 acres, or 3,000 farms of 100 acres each. Of these 3,000 farms, 
not more than 500 are occupied; the balance are on the market for sale at from 
$3.00 to $6.00 per acre and there is still left in the county a large quantity of 
government laud which has never been filed on, and a still greater amount can 
be preempted, houKsnaded or filed on as timber claims by paying from $25 
to $100 per quarter section for relinquishments. 

Greeley County can truthfully say that it has more cheap, good land and 
less indebtedness than any county in Kansas. All kinds of grain and vegeta- 
bles are grown. The soil is a dark sandy loam, from three to ten feet deep, and 
is especially adapted to wheat raising. In the last four years wheat has been 
grown to a limited extent but has invariably yielded well. This year there are 
about 10,000 acres in winter wheat and the prospects for a good crop are excel- 
lent. Greeley County is well adapted to stock raising. Stork of all kinds can 
live through the year on the native buffalo grass which grows in prolusion. 
It is weil known that the winters in western Kansas are exceptionally mild. 
Farmers who have a bunch of cattle are making money, and it is the universal 
opinion of all of them that cattle, sheep and horses can be kept for less money 
here than any place in the State. Greeley County finds a ready market for all 
kinds of products in the mountain towns of Colorado, and although our loca- 
tion in the extreme western part of the State might prejudice home-seekers on 
account of the distance from Eastern markets, it is true that the prices obtained 
in Pueblo and Denver for farm products are better than can be had in Kansas 
City, St. Louis or Chicago. 

By the census of 1880, the population of the county was 2,079; the assessed 
valuation was $876000, and there were twenty-four school districts organized. 

The five principal towns are, Tribune, Horace, Astor, Colokao and White- 
law. Of these, Tribune, the county seat, having a population of about 500, is 
the largest town in the county. All kinds of business usually found in a 
county seat town are represented here, but there is room for others. The town 
boasts of a splendid brick school house built last year at a cost of ST, (too; the 
best and largest hotel on the Missouri Pacific railway west of Salina, and there 
is now under construction a $20,000 stone court house which will be finished 
before next September. 

For further information address 

P. J. Donahue, Director, Tribune, Kansas. 



GRAY COUNTY. 



/"> BAY COUNTY, twenty-four by thirty-six miles in size created in 1887, has 
l©> a dark porous soil equal in richness to that of any county in Kansas. 
^^ The odd sections for ten miles on each side of the Atchison, Topeka & 
Santa Fe railroad are offered for sale at prices varying from $4 to $10 per acre. 
Of the remainder of the county about one-half of the lands have been proved 
up. There are still opportunities to file on government lands or to buy relin- 
quishments at reasonable prices. Considerable attention has been paid to the 
cultivation of trees aud many young orchards of apple, peach, plum and other 
fruit trees are in a flourishing condition. The growth of trees upon properly 
cultivated timber claims has been rapid and highly satisfactory- Good crops of 
sorghum, wheat, rye, oats, millet, alfalfa, rice corn and broom corn are raised. 
The average annual net profit upon each acre of alfalfa for the past two years 
has been 3>40. The Arkansas River flow;? through the central portion of the 
county and is bounded by rich bottom lands. 

The Eureka irrigating canal, ninety-six miles in length, starts at Ingalls. 
The winters here are mild and short and all kinds of stock are wintered on 
very little feed at a very light expense. In point of health Gray County is un- 
surpassed by any other section of country. There are now a large number of 
first-class, well equipped school houses in the county, nearly all of which 
have been built within the last two years. Good schools are maintained from 
six to nine mouths in the year. There is now in operation forty-five miles of 
railroad in the county; thirty miles of the A. T. & S F, running across the cen- 
tral portion of the county, and fifteen miles of the Dodge City, Montezuma & 
Trinidad running from Dodge City to Montezuma, and there is not a single 
dollar indebtedness upon Gray County or any township in it. 

Ingalls, the permauent county seat, which was so declared by the Supreme 
court in October, 1889. located on the main line of the A. T. & S. F., R. R. twen- 
ty five miles from Dodge City on the east, and the same distance from Garden 
City on the west, is a new and rapidly developing town; well situated to secure 
the" trade of a large scope of country. The Town is young and small and offers 
splendid opportunities for business and investment of capital; plenty of water 
is obtained at a depth of from eight to forty feet. 

SUBSTANTIAL ENTERPRISES AT INGALLS. 

Work has been begun upon a sugar mill for the manufacture of dry mer- 
chantable sugar from the sugar cane to the growth of which the soil of the sur- 
rounding country is peculiarly adapted. The cost of this mill will be $40,000 
and willhave a capacity of one hundred tons per day; it will be completed in 
time to consume the present year's crop. 

FLOURING MILL. 

The contract has been let for the construction of a roller process flouring 
mill to be equipped with the latest improved machinery, and to have a capacity 
of one hundred barrels of flour per day. 

CHEESE FACTORY. 

A $2,000 cheese factory is also under contract and will be completed early in 
the spring; the other towns in Gray county are Montezuma, Macomb, Lock- 
port. Hess and Cimarron. Montezuma is situated in the southern part of the 
county in the midst of a rich and beautiful country, is the terminus of the D.C. 
M. & T. R. R. Mocomb is a station six miles east of Montezuma. Ensign is a 
small station twelve miles east of Montezuma, and Lockport is situated on the 
west line of the county on the proposed line of the above mentioned railroad. 
Hess is a hamlet six miles southeast of Montezuma; Cimarron is a town on the 
Santa Fe, six miles east of Ingalls. 

TO HOMESEEKERS. 

The educational, religious and social status of our citizens is equal to that of 
communities in the older states. The people are sober, honest and indus- 
trious, and exteud a cordial invitation to the intelligent, energetic and law- 
abiding people of the world to come and settle among them. For further infor- 
mation address Geo. W. Dunn, Director, Ingalls, Kansas. 



-46- 

GREENWOOD COUNTY. 



rT7HI8 County is thirty-one by thirty-nine miles square, and contains 1,166 
& I to sections. The surface is gently undulating. The numerous streams, 
among which the Verdigris, Fall River, Spring Creek, Walnut, Bache- 
lor, Willow, Honey and Otter creeks, of pure running water, render it one of 
the finest watered counties in the State, almost every section in the entire 
county being touched by some one of these streams or by their innumerable 
tributaries. Five distinct railroads, already completed, lead from the county in 
all directions and place us at the very threshold of all the great markets for 
our produce, and, in addition thereto, pay a little more than one-sixth of all 
taxes for all purposes, paying last year $27,677.29. The entire taxes of said 
county for all purposes for 1889 being $153,605.00. 

CHURCHES. 

The morals of the county are preserved by more than thirty churches, with 
a membership of over 5,000, divided among the leading orthodox denomina- 
tions. 

SCHOOLS. 

The entire school population of the county is 6,138. Length of school term 
in weeks 3,905. Number of teachers engaged, 139. Number of school houses, 
138. Amount paid out for school purposes in 1888,166,291.23. Average salary 
paid teachers $44.02; the same being the highest average price paid in any coun- 
ty in the State, thereby securing to this county the most efficient school work 
to be found anywhere in the State. The foregoing does not include the South- 
ern Kansas Academy, situated at Eureka, which at present has in attendance 
about one hundred and fifty pupils, and a faculty second to none. This academy 
has only been running since 1885, and last year graduated a number of students 
who are at this time occupying places of trust and profit in this and other states. 

CLIMATE. 

The climate like other counties in Southern Kansas is very like that of Italy, 
and but seven days # during the winter of 1889, the sun did not shine. Men go 
about their daily avocations in midwinter in their shirt sleeves and wonder 
why others will persist in shivering around a log fire in Ohio, Pennsylvania, 
Indiana and elsewhere, when sunshine alone in Kansas is sufficient to drive 
one into the shade in most of the winter days. 

PRODUCTS. 

There were grown in 1889 in this county more than 600,000 bushels of corn 
on less than 150,000 acres of land. Very few of our farmers engage in wheat 
growing, but the yield last year was an average of about thirty-five bushels per 
acre. Forty three thousand acres yielded 26,000 bushels of oats last year, or a 
little more than fifty bushels per acre. All classes of vegetables are grown in 
abundance. Potatoes in many instances producing more than three hundred 
bushels per acre. There are in the county 127,121 bearing apple trees, which 
produced last year over 800,000 bushels of apples. Peaches, pears, plums, cher- 
ries and small* fruits are equally abundant. More than $12,000 worth of horti- 
cultural products were sold last year. 

STOCK 

There were in the county on January 1, 1890, 87,000 head of cattle being 
corn fed for market. There are 15,000 head of horses; 38,563 hogs were sold last 
year; sheep do remarkably well and are paying property. Large flocks of from 
1,000 upward are common, one man alone having fed this winter 10,000 head, 
out of which he lost but ten head. 

Eureka, the capital of the county, is at the Juncture of Fall river and 
Spring creek, and at the crossing of the A. T. & S. F., with the Mo. P. railways, 
is a city of nearly 4.000 inhabitants; has four large brick and stone school 
buildings, eight churches, three banks, three patent process flouring mills, a 
direct pressure system of water works. Prohibition prohibits. A hearty wel- 
come by a generous people awaits all who desire to cast their lots among us. 
For further information address 8. A. Mabtin, Director, Eureka, Kansas. 



—46- 

HAMILTON COUNTY. 



HAMILTON COUNTY is situated on the west side of the State. It is 
s) twenty-seven and one-half miles east and west, and thirty-six miles north 
and south, and contains eight hundred and ninety square miles, or 669,600 
cres of land. 

The Arkansas river enters the county about midway, on the west side, and 
lows in a southeasterly direction through the county. The Atchison, Topeka 
i Santa Fe Railroad runs up the river on the north bank through the county. 

The uplands are level, becoming undulated as you approach the river from 
ither side. The soil is a rich, sandy loam, well adapted to agricultural pur- 
>oses; the only draw-back being a lack of moisture, from natural causes, which 
3 being rapidly supplied by irrigating canals. 

The Alamo Irrigating and Manufacturing Co. has now twenty miles of ditch 
n actual operation. The Colorado & Kansas Canal and Reservoir Co. is construct- 
ng a very large ditch through the south part of the county and four other com- 
>anies are projecting ditches to be built the coming season; one of the largest 
o be built through the table lands in the north part, of the county. The other 
hree are to be built through the river bottom lands. 

Hamilton county has plenty of building stone, of various kinds, the most 
r aluable for finishing fine buildings is the famous magnesia lime stone, which 
an be sawed in any desired shape or size. Good water is obtained in the bot- 
om lands at a depth of from ten to fifteen feet, and on the table lands from 
wen ty -five to two hundred feet. 

The first artesian water found in Kansas was discovered atCoolidge, in this 
sounty, at a depth of two hundred feet. Below we give the chemical analysis 
»f the water in the Coolidge artesian wells. 

>rganic matter 022 Bi-Carb. and Sulph. of Soda and 

Silica 105 Potash 9,969 

Alumina and Oxide of Iron 276 Chlo. of Sodium 2,857 

3i-Carbof Lime 7,500 Total Solids v 24,360 

E$i-Garb of Magnesia 3,641 Chloride, combined 1,740 

The Arkansas river is spanned by three good bridges; one at Coolidge, one 
it Syracuse, and one at Kendall. 

There are four towns elaborately laid out in this county, Syracuse, Coolidge, 
Lee, and KeDdall. Svbacuse, the county seat, is situated near the center of 
;he county; it contains a population of about five hundred; has two splendid 
)rick hotel buildings, a city hall, and a $15,000 stone school house; church or- 
ganizations and benevolent societies are well represented here. Most of the 
roods destined for Stanton and Morton counties are shipped to this point, and 
his is a distributing point for all mail matter destined for those counties. 

Coolidge is the end of a division of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe R. 
R.. and is situated within two miles of the Colorado State line. It has a popu- 
ation of six hundred; has a magnificent stone hotel and many other valuable 
juildings, and a $20,000 stone school building besides the railroad company has 
i fine round house and several other buildings in this town. Churches and be- 
aovolent societies are also well represented. The city is supplied with artesian 
ivater by the Peck Water Works Co. 

Kendall, is a good town, situated on the east line of the county; it has a 
population of about two hundred wide-awake citizens, a $10,000 school building, 
3ity hall, etc. 

Lee is but a flag station yet, but has possibilities in view. It has a neat 
Little stone school building and other improvements. 

There is yet considerable Government land in this county. Deeded land 
3an be bought from $2 to $10 an acre. Men that are willing to work and cap- 
italists are wanted here, and this can be made one of the best counties in the 
State. For further information address 

I. J. C. Guy, Director, Syracuse, Kansas. 



HARPER COUNTY. 



§ARPER COUNTY, KANSAS, is bounded on the north by Kingman 
on the east by Sumner, on the south by the Indian Territory, and on the 
west by Barber .county. It is situated about the center of the southern 
tier of counties. The county was organized in 1878 and has a population of 
15,000. 

SURFACE. 

The surface is slightly rolling, sloping towards the east and south, which 
renders artificial draiuage needless. 

The Chicaskia river flows through the northeast part. A number of other 
streams course through it, among which are Bluff creek, Silver creek, Sand 
creek, and Spring Creek. 

The soil is a dark, sandy loam, very fertile, as is shown by the crops it pro- 
duces and the heavy growth of blue stem grass. 

The average depth of wells is about twenty feet. The water is healthful. 

MINERALS. 

Good building stone is found in different parts of the county. Solid rock 
salt underlies the surface at a depth of about 1,000 feet. Two salt plants are 
operated at Anthony, the county seat. 

FARM PRODUCTS. 

This is chiefly an agricultural county. Wheat, oats, and corn are grown. 
There was harvested in this county in 1889, 37,800 acres of wheat, average yield 
'twenty-two bushels per acre; 32,840 acres of oats, which promised a large yield, 
but a great deal of the crop was destroyed by wet weather. What was harvested 
made a good yield. 

There was 83,400 acres of corn, yielding on an average, forty bushels shelled 
corn per acre. Sorghum is grown. A sugar mill is operated at Attica. 

LIVE STOCK. 

Live stock, consisting of hogs, cattle, and horses is raised. 

RAILROADS. 

The county has good railroad facilities. The Santa Fe railroad enters the 
county on the east, running nearly west through it, passing through Albion, 
Danville, Harper, Crystal Springs, Attica, Crisfield. At Attica, the road di- 
vides, one branch running west, the other to Pan Handle, Texas. The Missouri 
Pacific railroad enters the county on the east, runs nearly southwest through 
the county, passing through Freeport, Anthony, Ruella, and Corwin. The 
'Frisco railroad enters the county near the southeast corner and terminates at 
Anthony. Bluff City is on this line. The Omaha, Hutchinson and Gulf rail- 
road is graded through more than half of the county, from north to south, and 
according to contract, is to be completed to the Indian Territory by June 1,1890. 
The prospective point of this road is the Gulf of Mexico. 

SCHOOLS. 

Schools require one hundred and two teachers, and there is not a section 
which is not provided with free school privileges. The towns have well-graded 
schools and great interest is taken in education. 

TOWNS. 

Within the county, there are two cities of the second class, Harper and An- 
thony. Anthony, the county seat, has one of the finest school buildings in the 
State. Ten teachers in her schools. Harper has a population equal to that of 
Anthony, ten teachers in her schools, besides the Harper Normal and Business 
College is located in this city, giving an opportunity to obtain a higher educa- 
tion. Runnymede is a flourishing English town, situated in the northeast 
part. A number of capitalists are locating here and are fast building up a town. 

Danville, Freeport, and Bluff City, situated in the eastern part are the 
greatest wheat shipping points in the county. Attica has a creamery and a 
sorghum-sugar mill. For further information address 

Adam Shbivek, Direotor, Harper, Kansas 



HODGEMAN COUNTY. 



T pOCATED three hundred and twenty miles west of Kansas City and eighty 
| \ miles east of the Colorado line; is twenty-four by thirty -six miles in area 
and contains 553,960 acres. 
The face of the country is generally smooth and undulating, consisting of 
fertile valley lands and wide stretches of rolling prairie. 

THE SOIL 

Is a rich sandy loam, absolutely unsurpassed in fertility, and ranging in 
depth from five to twelve feet. 

Tbe county is traversed by numerous streams, cbief of which the Pawnee, 
Buckner, Sawlog and White Woman, with their tributaries fed by never-fail- 
ing springs, furnish an abundance of pure water. An inexhaustible supply of 
excellent water may be obtained in any part of the county at depths varying 
from ten to seventy feet. 

With tbe latitude of Southern Kentucky and Virginia a mean elevation of 
2,500 feet above the sea, Hodgeman county has a delightful climate, a rare in- 
vigorating atmosphere and is free from all malarial influences. The mean 
temperature is fifty-five degrees, and the yearly rainfall averages from twenty- 
five to thirty inches. The winters are short and open, and stock of all kinds 
can be pastured nine or ten months of the year, and sometimes even longer 
without requiring additional feed. 

The native grasses, which number many varieties, are all of more or less 
value to the stockmen. The short and nutritious buffalo grass which is thorough- 
ly cured in the process of growth, is the dominant herbage of the country, and 
furnishes for cattle and horses perennial pasturage. The blue-stem has already 
taken hundreds of acres in the valleys and along the uplands, and is gradually 
extending over the country. 

Deposits of superior building stone are to be found in all parts of the 
county. This stone is generally of the nature of the magnesian lime stone, is 
susceptible of polish, easily worked into various shapes and is largely used in 
the construction of public and private buildings, fences, corrals, bridges, etc. 

Corn, wheat, rye, oats, barley, millet, broom corn, rice corn, sorghum, cas- 
tor beans, potatoes, nearly all kinds of garden vegetables and small fruits are 
among the principal crops grown in the county. 

CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. 
No county in the State has better church and school advantages in propor- 
tion to wealth and population than Hodgeman county. According to the last 
annual report of the superintendent of schools, made in June, 1889, Hodgeman 
county has fifty-four organized school districts with forty-six school buildings, 
fifty-nine teachers employed and every school graded and classified. The esti- 
mated value of school property is nearly $30,000, and the amount of money ex- 
pended for school purposes last year was $17,621.26. Regular church services 
are held in many of these school houses, and Sabbath schools are maintained 
and largely attended in nearly every district. 

JETMORE, 

The county seat of Hodgeman county, is a thriving town located in the geo- 
graphical center of the county, and is the terminus of C. K. & W. R. R. Jet- 
more contains an energetic progressive class of citizens, is surrounded by a 
splendid farming country, and in many respects is the brightest of any town 
in this part of the State. An elegant court house recently erected at a cost of 
$20,000, built of native stone, stands in the center of town, exhibiting the en- 
terprise of the people of Hodgeman county, and at the same time proclaiming 
the fact that we have no county seat disturbances or anxieties. The growth of 
Jetmore has been steady and permanent, and her condition one of solid and 
substantial prosperity. For further information address 

Noah Hardy, Director, Jetmore, Kansas 



JEFFERSON COUNTY. 



T^ AS no county debt, not a dollar. Its location is seen by examining the 
J§J map of Kansas found in this book. Its convenience to markets at Kansas 
City, Leavenworth, Atchison, St. Joe, Topeka and Lawrence, is 
seen at a glance. Situated in the great triangular garden formed by lines ex- 
tending from these cities, one to another, the farming lands are always bound 
to be valuable. This is the great fruit, vegetable, tame grass and grain-growing 
garden spot of the west, well watered and well timbered. We have the lime- 
stone soil, and hence grow the plumpest wheat and corn, the richest fruit and 
most nutritious grasses that are grown anywhere. The court house and other 
county buildings and bridges are all paid for, and the county doesn't owe a 
dollar. 

Oskaloosa, the county seat, is forty-five miles northwest of Kansas City, 
on the K. C. W. & W. and L. T. & S. W. Railroads, surrounded by fine fruit, 
grain and stock farms. A farmer near by has fifteen acres of straw- 
berries and twenty acres in apples, cherries and pears on his 560 acre farm. We 
have three banks, two schools, four churches, cheese factory, canning factory, 
newspaper, stores, hotels, able attorneys and skillful physicians. Excellent 
water at a depth of twenty-four to thirty-three feet. No malaria. Fine clover 
fields and blue grass pastures in the vicinity make the milk supply immense, 
and the patrons of the creamery make a rich profit on their cows. For small 
county map, showing towns and railroads, and information asto business open- 
ings and price of farm lands, address J. N. Insley. 

Winchester, oh the Kansas Central R. R., is in the midst of a farming 
country, not excelled anywhere. It has a bank, elevator, stores, hotels, news- 
paper, churches, schools, and Is a good place for business. One of the finest 
breeding establishments for draft horses in the west is here. For particulars 
address J. D. Lemon. 

Meriden is on the A., T. & S. F., and L. T. & S. W. railroads. Good mill, 
elevator, banks, stores, churches, schools, etc. Fine country underlaid with 
coal; good market; shipments immense. For further information address A. & 
J. W. Mosier. 

V alley Falls is on the Delaware river atthe crossingof the A.,T. & S. F., 
the K C, and the K. C. W. & N. W railroads. It is the largest town in the coun- 
ty; g<*^ land from ten to twenty-five dollars per acre accordingto improvements; 
has three banks, two mills, elevator, cheese factory, tile factory, woolen mill, 
shops, five newspapers, churches, schools, hotels, lumber yards, livery barns, 
electric lights, water works, etc. It does a largebusiness in the shipmentsof grain 
and stock. Coal mines in the vicinityare worked with considerable success. 
Fine water power drives the machinery of the mills, electric lights, etc., and 
other power, for new enterprises, will be furnished cheap. For further particu- 
lars address the mayor. 

Perry is situated in the beautiful valley of the Kansas river, where the 
Union Pacific railroad crosses the Delaware. It has a bank, elevator, mill, 
stores, churches, schools, etc. For particulars address Frank Eakin. 

Nortonville, on the A. T. & S. F. railroad, fifteen miles southwest of 
Atchison, is surrounded by afine farming country. It has two banks, churches, 
stores, mill, elevator, lumberyard, newspaper, cheese factory, canning factory, 
etc. The citizens are intelligent and enterprising, and show the same by their 
improvements, which are first-class. For further particulars address the 
mayor. 

McLouth, at the crossing of the L. T. & S. W., and the K. C. W. & N. W. 
roads, forty miles from KansasCity, has a hank, newspaper, elevator, churches, 
schools, etc., and is in a tine grain and^tock country. Large numbers of cattle 
and hogs are fed and shipped from this point. For particulars address the 
mayor. For further information address 

J. N. Insley, Director, Oskaloosa, Kansas. 



KINGMUM COTJNTT. 



KINGMAN COUNTY lies in the south central portion of the State, and 
ranks as oue of the foremost counties of Kansas. No county can make a 
more favorable showing in the advantages and resources bestowed by na- 
ture for the successful development of the many and varied industrial pursuits 
so desirable and necessary to the full and complete enjoyment of life in its va- 
rious conditions. The surface of the county is a gently rolling prairie. Its soil 
is deep, quick, and fertile, and never fails to respond with a bountiful crop of 
every kind when worked with intelligent care; while sorghum cane and sugar 
beet, which in the near future will be two of the most remunerative crops grown 
in the United States, is at home when applied to her soil and climate. For 
abundance and purity of water no county in the State can compare with it, as 
the sparkling waters of the Chikaskia and Ninnescah rivers and Smoot's creek, 
with their tributaries testify, the dryest season known to Kansas never affect- 
ing their supply; while good well water is obtained all over the county at an 
easy depth. Of schools, she has them on almost every section of land'within 
her borders, and tbey are the pride of her people. 

Wiuters are never long or severe, but are generally mild and easily endured, 
making out-door labor of every character easy and comfortable, instead of dis- 
agreeable and hazardous, as in countries of more northern and eastern locali- 
ties. The climate throughout the year is one of the most delightful and health- 
ful to be found on the American continent. 

The City of Kingman is the county seat, having a population of 4,000. 
There are fifty two and three story brick business houses. It is located on the 
Ninnescah river, which furnishes an abundance of pure, clear water, in suffi- 
cient volume to run countless numbers of factories. 

Six newspapers are published in the county, namely: the Kingman Demo- 
crat, the Leader-Courier, and the Kingman Journal, published in the City of 
Kingman; the Norwich News, published at Norwich; the Spivey Index, pub- 
lished at Spivey; and the Cunningham Herald, published at Cunningham. 

There are four lines of railroad running through the county, with an ag- 
gregate mileage of 180 miles, three of which roads run through Kingman. 

The manufacture and production of salt is destined to become oup of the 
most profitable industries of the county, as the article produced here is admit- 
ted to be the finest in the West. Four plants are in operation, producing about 
500 barrels per day. Oue shaft is sunk to the rock salt, which is mined and 
marketed from this place, it being the only place west of New York and north 
of Louisiana, producing a pure article of rock salt. Chicago capitalists are 
sinking a shaft, 14x16 feet deep, thus giving Kingman the decided advantage 
to become the salt center of the southwest. 

The towns outside of the county seat are Cunningham, Calista, Murdock, 
Norwich, Ra^o. Spivey, Rochester, Belmont, Cleveland, Penalosa, Waterloo, 
and Nashville, all prosperous thriving towns, surrounded by good country. 

Never in the history of the State has it been possible to buy such farm 
lauds at such prices as can be had in Kingman county at this time; good farms 
being held at from $1,600 to $2,000. In the very nature of the case the prices 
can not last, as they do not represent one-half their cash value for farming pur- 
poses. The estimated crop for 1889, from the most reliable sources, was: Wheat, 
492,i;00 bushels, an average of over 27 bushels per acre; corn, 2,857,000 bushels, 
an average of over 42 bushels per acre; oats, 1,217,000 bushels, an average of over 
40 bushels per acre; while other products, consisting of different cereals, make 
the estimated value of the crops, with stock for 18«9, $5,200,000 to say nothing 
of laud values. Certainly a very credible showing for a county which six years 
ago had less than 5,000 population, and not a foot of railroad in its borders. 

» 

We endorse the above as a true statement of the resources of Kingman 
county. Eikjar Henderson, President Kingman National Bank; D. B. Cook, 
President First National Bank; J. R. Griffith, Cashier Farmers and Drovers 
Bank; I. N. Hays, Chairman Board of County Commissioners. 

For further information address F.L.Foster, Director, Cunningham,Kas. 



-61- 



KIOWA COUNTY. 



T7I0WA COUNTY was organized in 
*- *• May, 18S6, and is situated near 
the center east and west and second 
tier from south line of State. It has 
plenty of pure water, good timber along 
its streams, and its soil is rich in or- 
ganic matter from two to four feet in 
depth. The climate is healthful and sal- 
ubrious the mean temperature being 
about 34° in winter and 80° in summer, 
while extremes of heat and cold are un- 
known. The following are a few of the 
many advantages which we invite the 
public to consider. 

1 Taxes comparatively low. 

2 Fifty-three school houses. • 

3 Ample rainfall and good crops. 

4 Good roads every day in the year. 

5 Settled by people from the States. 

6 Five good live towns in the 
county. 

7 Secret societies well represented. 

8 Every religious denomination 
represented. 

9 Trees of all kinds make remark- 
able growth. 

10 Splendid agricultural and stock 
raising county. 

11 Reduced rates at hotels for home- 
seekers. 

12 Land shown free for prospective 
purchasers. 

13. Low rents to those unable to 
purchase lands. 

14 A warm and hearty welcome ex- 
tended to all comers. 

15 One man with a good team will 
easily tend sixty acres of rorn. 

16 Kiowa county's assessed valua- 
tion is over six million dollars. 

17 Railroad fare and hotel expenses 
.refunded where sales are made. 

18 Kiowa county has a good cream- 
ery in operation at the county seat. 

19 One year's wheat crop will pay 
for the ground upon which it is raised. 

20. Large tracts of land in one body 
for those desiring land for cattle pur- 
poses. 

21 Lands for sale at from $4 to $12 
per acre according to location and im- 
provements. 

22. The rents of an eastern farm will 
purchase a home of you-r own in Kiowa 
county. 

23 Rich loam soil easily worked, 
does not heave by free»ine. very fertile 



and productive. 

24 One hundred thousand acres 
choice timber, unoccupied laud, good 
title that can be bad reasonable. 

2-5 Seventy-five miles of railroad— 
three trunk lines, viz: Santa Fe, Frisco 
and Rock Island. 

26 Greensburff, the county seat, of- 
fers special inducements to those seek- 
ing business locations. 

27 With an average as large as last 
year, Kiowa county will raise in 1890 
over 400.000 bushels of wheat. 

28 The citizens of Kiowa county 
will refund the expenses of the home- 
seeker if these statements are found un- 
true. 

29 Land cau be had either for cash 
or on payments to suit purchaser at 
low rate of interest upon deferred pay- 
ments. 

30 On account of a large number of 
cattle in the southern part of the coun- 
ty, better prices have been paid for 
grain than elsewhere. 

31 Broom corn can be raised here 
for one-third less expense than in any 
Eastern or Central State, and the 
price received is equally as great. 

32 The mountain and mining mar- 
kets of the west are accessible by two 
direct trunk lines of railroad as are also 
those of Chicago and the Atlantic 
coast. 

33 Corn fed to hogs in Kiowa coun- 
ty nets the same price as Illinois, In- 
diana and Ohio corn, our Wichita mar- 
ket averaging the same prices as Chica- 
go for the past year. 

34 Kiowa county will produce with 
profit corn, broom corn, wheat, rye, 
oats, barley, flax, cane, castor beans, 
tobacco, cotton, peanuts, melons and 
vegetables of all kinds. 

35 The Slate Agricultural Report for 
18S9 shows the following average yield 
per acre: Corn, 38 bushels; wheat, 22 
bushels and oats 38 bushels, while Irish 
and sweet potatoes yield well. 

Come and see us before locating else- 
where. Kiowa county has many ad- 
vantages which commend it to you as 
a home, with its cheap land, splendid 
climate and pure water. For further 
information address 

Will E. Bolton, Director, 
Greensburg, Kansas. 



62- 

LANE COUNTY. 



W S ^? U S, TY Ba f med . above » nearly the center one of the west half of the 
d]& State. The surface is a gentle rolling prairie, broken only by a few small 
nf «i. t™™- Th ? Boil if "ch, dark, and deep, well adapted to the prod ucUon 
of all kinds of grain and vegetables. The bottom lands along the dirSrent 
streams grow an abundance of hay. * umerent 

CROPS. 

Crops of all kinds are grown successfully, but the experiments so far made 
have proved conclusively that the land is more particularly adapted to the Torn! 
duction of wheat and other small grains. During the year Sthe acrea4 of 
wheat was about 7,000 acres The result was so satisfactory that thS fermefs of 
the county have increased the acreage this year to about 35,000 acres At the 
present writing he crop is looking tine and the prospects are good for an abun- 
dant harvest The small amount of labor required to seed an! harvest a lame 
acreage of wheat makes the business very profitable. harvest a large 

The raising of stock is also largely engaged in, and the natural advantages 
of good grass, plenty of range, excellent water, and a mild climate all combfne 
to make the result successful. • ume 

WATER. 

As noted above the county is well watered by several small streams and 
springs Excellent well water, and an abundance of it, is obtained without 
difficulty at a depth of from twenty to sixty feet. Pure Water^in inexha^ Uble 
quantities is a very important consideration, and in this county you will find it 

CLIMATE. 
_ In California, it is said, they sell the climate and throw in the laud Here 
in Kansas where the climate is nearly, if not equally, as good, the order 5 re- 
versed and the land is sold at very reasonable figures with no charges for C H- 
fh?H,. ^ons suffering with complaints induced by damp climate! will find 
the dry atmosphere of Kansas greatly beneficial. 

SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES 

Are some of the important advantages which the home-seeker very naturally 
looks atter It is with pride, therefore, that attention is called to the fact « S 
Lane county is in this respect considerably in advance of counties much older 
A though as yet but sparse y settled, the county has about forty district schools' 
which are carefully and efficiently managed by a well qualified class of teachers* 
loTtions organizations a nd buildings will also be found in dTfferent 

TOWNS. 

There is only one town of any importance in this county. Dighton the 

county seat, isbeautifully located in the exact geographical center of the county 

A fine brick school house, costing about $16,000, twochurches and several large 

brick business blocks are some of the principal attractions. g 

RAILROADS. 

A T h l «° U ^ ty is * , ; avers ? d . l b y two of the Principal roads of the State. The 
A l. & is * runs through the center of the county from east to west and the 
Missouri Pacific runs in the same direction through the northern nart of the 
county, thus affording excellent facilities for transportation P 

GENERAL REMARKS. 

o»r SJr b °.r 8e . ekin & I homea :ind a place for safe and profitable investments, we 
™p'n w * l l.y io y »<b.cements. Much of the land here has been proved up by 
bon"h ^ n , 0t °° meher « eirl ^r to work or stay. This land can now be 

JSrtm.fS- >2 • W ngUr f, 9 ' - thus °f erir, g men with limited means splendid op- 
?ash • Si ** tI r ii :, earth y P" s .^sions by a very small outlay of 

casn capital. For furthei information address 

Ben L. Green, Director, Dighton, Kansas. 



LOGAN COUNTY 



rS LOCATED in the western part of the State, and is thirty by thirty-six 
ruiles, containing 1,080 square miles. This county is adapted to farming 
and stock raising, has a rich black loamy soil and is the best watered coun- 
ty in the State. Through the center of the county east and west runs the Smoky 
Hill river, fed by various creeks and spring runs. The surface is rolling and af- 
fords perfect drainage. All kinds of crops are raised iu this county and proved to 
be a success. Wheat h is proved so far to be the most profitable crop, as it can 
be raised with less expense. The adaptability of the soil to wheat raising has 
been demonstrated during the last few years beyond question. As a rule, 
whenever sown, wheat has yielded a good crop during the last season, many 
fields made from thirty- five to forty bushels per acre. There is at this time 
not less than fifty or sixty thousand acres of fall wheat sown iu this county and 
looking well. There will be an enormous crop of spring wheat, oats and other 
small grain sown, besides the usual corn and other crops. 

All the farmers of Logan county are stayers, and although one of the last 
counties organized in the State, it polled more votes at the last general election 
than any county in Western Kansas. 

Logan county has an abundance of the finest building stone in the State; 
magnesia, granite and marble, as may be seen by visiting the court house at 
Russell Springs. Natural lime abounds in inexhaustible quantities, so that 
the expense of building is reduced to a minimum. 

The Union Pacific railway runs east and west through the northern 
part of the county and has five shipping points — Oakley, Monument. Page 
City, Winona and McAllaster; Winona being the shipping point for Russell 
Springs, the county seat of Logan county. You should therefore buy your 
tickets, ship your goods and consign your cars to this point and from there take 
the stage to Russell Springs, where you will be courteously treated by her citi- 
zens. The county is populated by a peace-loving euergetic and industrious 
class of citizens. Churches and school houses have been built in every com- 
munity. Our farmers are a thrifty and well-to-do class of citizens, and men 
who came here three or four years ago with scarcely any thing, are surrounded 
by many evidences of prosperity and have made substantial improvements on 
their farms, and accumulating a number of horses and cattle and other live 
stock. Pauperism, so prevalent in the east, is unknown here. 

There are two railroad surveys up the Smoky Hill river which will be 
built through Russell Springs in the near future. There is still government 
land in the county which can be had by paying the land office fee, viz: For 
pre-emption, $2; homestead, $18; deeded land can be had from $3 to $5 per acre; 
railroad land from $5 to $10 per acre. This land will double in vale in less than 
one year. 

RUSSELL SPRINGS 

Is the county seat of Logan county, and has a population of 460 inhabitants, a 
$30,000 court house, supposed to be the finest between Abilene and Denver; a 
$10,000 school housp; one of the finest church buildings in this part of the State; 
excellent hotels facilities; many substantial business blocks and numerous ele- 
gant private residences. The great and never failing springs where Rill Cody 
— known as Buffalo Bill— camped during his buffalo hunts, are located at Rus- 
sell Springs, from which the town derived its name. 

The time to come to Logan county is now. Many people have regretted 
that they came west too late, when the choice lards have been taken by the 
shrewd investor who ever has his eye on the development of Western Kansas. 
Study the description of Logan county, consider her resources and decide for 
yourself which is the best county in Kansas in which to procure a cheap home. 
For further information address T. B. Thorpe, Director, Russell Springs, Ks. 



-64- 

LYON COUNTY. 



T pYON COUNTY is situated in the eastern part of the State of Kansas, about 
| \ seventy-live miles west of the east hue of the State, and midway of the 
State north and south. It contains about 800 square miles of territory, or 
about 535,000 acres of land, and. in addition to the advantages of an abundant 
supply of water, thousands of acres of choice bottom laud aud a large supply 
of timber. About two-thirds of the acreage of the county are included in 
farms, the remaining portion is unimproved or in native grass. 

The soil, tor fertility and adaption to diversified farming, is unsurpassed. 
The bottom lauds of the Neosho aud Cottonwood rivers are famous for their 
productiveness, and thousands of acres of upland, in the .year 1889, yielded 
from sixty to seventy-rive bushels of corn, and from twenty-five to forty bushels 
of wheat to the acre, and numerous individual instances could be cited where 
the yield exceeded even that stated. It is not an exaggeration to say that, at 
the present time, the granaries of the county are overflowing with corn. 

The county is traversed by one hundred and eight miles of railroad, repre- 
senting three of the principal railroad systems of the State, whieh provide 
thirteen shipping stations. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe connects the 
county directly with Kansas City, Chicago, and the Eastern markets, with the 
Indian Territory, Texas, and the Gulf at Galveston on the south; and with 
California and the Pacific states and the vast intervening country, on the west. 
The Missouri Pacific furnishes another outlet to the East and also to Colorado, 
while the Missouri, Kansas & Texas, besides giving an Eastern outlet, gives 
another direct connection through Texas to the sea-board within a distance of 
less than eight hundred miles. Tims our railroads furnish advantages not ex- 
ceeded in any other county, for transportation to all the markets of the world. 

jJmpobia, the county seat, is a beautiful city of 10,000 population, with 
paved streets, artificial light by electricity and gas, street railways, and the best 
system of water works in the State. It is located in the center of the county 
and is easily accessible from all points, being in tersected by Ave different lines 
of railroad. Besides Emporia, there are the towns of Hartford, Americus, 
Reading, Neosho Rapids, Olpe. Admire, Allen, and Bushong, each of which are 
centers of trade affording facilities for marketing produce and the purchase of 
supplies, and each having good railroad advantages. 

The educational provisions in Lyon county are exceptionally good. The 
State Normal School is located at Emporia, supported by a liberal endowment 
from the State, with an enrollment of nearly 1,000 pupils, and the College of 
Emporia, under the management and control of the Synod of the Presbyterian 
church of the State of Kansas, affords a complete collegiate education, without 
charge for tuition. The city and county schools are unsurpassed by any in the 
West. 

Coal, of good quality, ertsily mined, is found in the eastern part of the county, 
while sufficient timber skirts the streams to supply an abundance of cheap fuel. 

Choice building stone (both white and blue limestone) is found conven- 
iently in almost all parts of the county, while lumber aud brick are to be had at 
reasonable prices. 

No locality offers a superior climate, purer water, or better hygenic 
conditions than Lyon county. The undulating surface provides thorough nat- 
ural drainage, while the rainfall in this portion of the State is usually adequate 
to all the wants of the growing crops, and soil and climate combine to consti- 
tute this a section of country peculiarly adapted to diversified farming, stock 
raising, and fruit growing; and hence very desirable for a home. 

Secure your tickets to Emporia, the county seat, via the A., T. & F. R. R. 
or the M., K. & T. R. R., from which point all parts of the county are easily 
accessible. For further information address 

W. H. Buckw alter, Director, Emporia, Kansas. 



—55— 

Mcpherson county. 



MCPHERSON COUNTY is a level agricultural county in the center of the 
State, and for a number of years enjoyed the reputation of being the 
banner wheat county of the United States. The soil is of the best, the 
rainfall abundant and the average yield of grain is simply wonderful. Over 
ninety per cent of the land is in improved farms. Two large colleges, several 
high schools and 120 common schools are in actual operation, giving unsur- 
passed educational facilities. 

The four principal railroads of the State, viz: The A., T. & S. F., the C, 
R. I. & P., U. P., and M. P., run through thecouuty insuring cheap, and con- 
venient transportation. 

Wheat has sjjiveu an average yield of over fifteen bushels per acre, and the 
average for 1889 was twenty-five bushels per acre, with many fields yielding 
from thirty-five to forty-five bushels. No one can take a drive through the 
county without being convinced that here is a laud where farming will pay if 
anywhere. 

PRICE OF LAND. 
Improved farms can be purchased at from twenty to thirty dollars per acre 
according to location and improvements; there is very little choice in the qual- 
ity of land in this county, it is universally good. 

WHAT IT IS WORTH. 
Land is actually worth what it will pay income on in rents. Land in Mc- 
Phersou county readily rents for one-third of the crop delivered except broom 
corn land, which is one-fifth. The following table is computed from the re- 
ports of the State Board of Agriculture and is official. The table shows the 
average rental value of laud for the last seven years in the four leading staple 
products of the county and the average for each year and for each product for 
the seven years. The value of the products are computed at the market price 
in McPherson at the time the crop was harvested. Table showing the rental 
value per acre of McPherson county land. 



YEAR. 


WHEAT. 


OATS. 


CORN. 


br'm corn 
1-5 


AVERAGE. 


1884 

1885 


$6 33 

2 40 
70 

1 00 
1 00 

3 00 

4 40 


|3 60 
2 66 
2 40 

2 50 

3 70 
1 33 
1 20 


$2 60 

2 50 

3 20 
3 10 

1 00 
50 

2 50 


$3 60 

3 60 
6 60 

4 20 
4 60 
4 20 
4 20 


$4 03 

2 80 

3 22 


1886 


2 70 


1887 


2 59 


1888 


2 26 


1889 


3 07 








$2 69 


*2 49 


$2 20 


$4 43 


$2 95 



Compare the above with the rental value of land in the Eastern and Cen- 
tral states, and you will at once see that there should be but little if any differ- 
ence in the price of land in order to make the investment pay the same rate of 
profit. Taxes in McPherson county average only ten cents per acre, an item of 
no small moment to those who are burdened with the high priced land of the 
Eastern Mates. Suppose that money is worth eight per cent, and after deduct- 
ing fifteen cents per acre for taxes and expenses we have #2.80 net, as the 
average rental value of land in McPherson county, this will pay interest on an 
average price of $35 per acre, and have expenses aad taxes all paid. But you 
do not have to pay $;>5 per acre, but can purchase all you desire at from $20 to 
$30. Is it not a' good and safe investment? Then, again, rates of interest are 
constantly decreasing while the value of land in the West is constantly in 
creasing. 

The city of McPherson is one of the liveliest in the State; has water works, 
electric lights, street cars and a general air of prosperity that is truly refresh- 
ing. Do not fail to visit McPherson county while in Kansas. For further in- 
formation address W. A. Virvis, Director, McPherson, Kansas. 



MEADE COUNTY. 



/TSEADE COUNTY lies west of the center of the State, in the south tier of 
aTA counties, and contains 633,600 acres of land, with a soil not excelled in 
any country, and no county in the State has a greater proportion of 
smooth, tillable land. 

The celebrated Crooked Creek Valley extends through the whole county 
from northwest to southeast, and in the richest portion of this valley, already 
more than one hundred flowing wells have been obtained at a depth of from 
fifty to two hundred feet, and at a cost of from $25 to $75 each, which send forth 
a constant stream of clear, pure water with great force, making this valley, 
with its rich soil, the natural home of the market gardener and dairyman. 

There are fifty-six orgauized school districts in the county, and many of the 
school buildings compare favorably with those of old and well improved east- 
ern states, while the church privileges are equal to those of any county of its 
age in the State. There are few places in the United States where so healthful 
a climate is found; the light, pure air being very beneficial to those suffering 
from asthma or diseases of the throat and lungs. 

The Rock Island railroad enters the county on the east, near the northeast 
corner, and leaves it south of the center on the west. Fowler, Meade (the 
county seat), Jasper, and West Plains are stations on the road within the 
county, and are good trading and shipping points. 

Farms, large or small, and adapted toeither stock raising or mixed farming, 
can now be purchased at very low prices, thus affording the poor man an op- 
portunity to share with the more wealthy, in the rapid increase of the value of 
these lands, while securing for himself not only a home, but a competency for 
old age. 

Our greatest success is found in combined agriculture and stock raising. 
The cheapness of land, abundance of grass, and short, mild winters make it 
possible to raise horses, mules, and cattle cheaper than in any other agricultural 
State in the Union, and there is no country where they develop more quickly 
and perfectly. The growing of horses and mules is especially recommended, 
as the opportunities in this direction can not be surpassed. 

Hogs and sheep do well, and it is safe to say that more hogs will be raised 
in the county this year than in any three previous years. 

Our land is capable of producing all kinds of crops suited to this latitude. 
Fruit growing is free from many of the drawbacks of the East and North-east. 
The soil is well adapted, and climate propitious. There is no winter killing or 
bark bursting, while the pure air prevents blight and mildew. This enterprise 
has been very successful wherever intelligently undertaken in the county, and 
especially so with the stone fruits. Orchards planted in 1884 and 1885 have 
borne their first crops, small, it is true, but very encouraging. Peaches, plums, 
and cherries are large in size and fine in flavor, resembling the products of 
Southern California more than specimens from Eastern States. 

The production of sugar from sorghum cane bids fair to be one of the chief 
sources of wealth to the farmer of Western Kansas, and the soil and climate are 
well adapted to the growth of an excellent quality of sugar producing cane. 
There is a large sugar plant already erected at Meade, and plants are under con- 
struction at West Plains and Mertilla in this county. 

We want more farmers in Meade county, and we offer you rich, fertile 
land so cheap, that every industrious man, with a little means "can haveahome 
of his own. A home in a healthy climate, among moral, intelligent, and 
wide-awake people. A home not among strangers, but among people from 
your own State. A home with church and school privileges in every neigh- 
borhood. An abundance of good, pure water, and good railroad facilities, 
For further information address 

W. H. Young, Director, Meade Center, Kan. 



-67- 

MITCHELL COUNTY. 




W 



INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOB GIRLS. 

&E desire to call the attention of the home-seeker to Mitchell county, 
located in the far-famed and beautiful Solomon Valley. The county 
was organized in. 1871, with a population of 575, and has new a popula- 
tion of over 16,000. The pioneer has settled across the entire state, and through 
his efforts Mitchell county has so far advanced in improvement that she is no 
longer, strictly speaking, a new county. Farmers coming here do not have to 
settle on wild, untamed and uncultivated land, but they can enjoy all the ad- 
vantages of society, schools and churches that they can in the East. A large 
proportion of the farms in the county are improved, and the buyer can raise a 
crop and derive a revenue at once. The county is traversed by two railroads: 
The Missouri Pacific, which gives us direct communication with Atchison, 
Kansas City and St. Louis; and the Union Pacific to Topeka, Kansas City, 
Denver and the Northwest; while arrangements are now being made by which 
it is hoped to bring the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Road from the north, 
to connect with its through line which is being built to the proposed deep har- 
bor at Galveston, Texas. No mistake can be made in buying the rich and fer- 
tile lands in Mitchell county, as they are sure to increase in value - very year. 

Beloit, the "Queen City of the Solomon Valley," is the leading commercial 
center of this part of the State, with schools and churches equal to those of 
cities of twice its size. Here is located the only State institution in this part 
of the State — the Industrial Schools for Girls — a representation of which is 
shown herewith. The Solomon river furnishes us excellent water power, which 
is utilized by a mill of the capacity of 100 barrels per day. The city is supplied 
with a complete system of water works, and its business activity and enterprise 
as well as its buildings and public improvements, rank it as a desirable home 
for the man of energy and push, as well as those desiring a healthful and pleas- 
ant place of residence. 

Parties looking for homes or opportunities for investment in the West 
should address S. H. Dodge, Director, Beloit, Kansas. 



MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 



fyi ONTGOMERY COUNTY is among the very best counties in this State of 
/A\ continual surprises. The mean temperature for 1889 was 56.07, which is 
00.29 above the normal for the past eighteen years. Montgomery county 
has eighteen post-offices, 112 school houses, thirty-rive churches, sixty-one 
church organizations, twenty-five iron and steel bridges, eight railway lines, 
with 1(34 miles of inainline,equitably distributed so that every township is reach- 
ed by one or more tracks, and no farm more than eight miles from a station. 

Independence is the county seat and is a model city of five thousand, 
with three railway lines, near the center of the county, and in the midst of a 
flue agricultural and stock region. Independence has fourteen churches, three 
banks, two weekly and one daily newspapers, three roller process flouring 
mills, a canning factory, machine shop, an $80,000 water works plant and an 
electric light plant, a first-class creamery, etc. We have three fine brick school 
houses, employing nineteen teachers. The court house and jail, located here are 
magnificent buildings and creditable to the county. Independence needs and 
will welcome all professions and business, and urgently solicits manufacturing 
enterprises. Don't fail to visit Independence. 

Cherryvale is a handsome city of H, 500 inhabitants, with four railroads, 
brick and stone business houses, brick school houses and fine church buildings, 
The recent discovery of natural gas will add greatly to the future prosperity of 
the city. Two wells now furnish cheap fuel, and as an inducement to manu- 
facturing establishments to locate at this point, gas for their use will be fur- 
nished free. We have a fine system of water works and electric light p"ant. 
The rich district tributary to Cherryvale, together with the facilities for ship- 
ping, insure for this city a permanent place as a commercial center, and our 
active board of trade and city government work harmoniously to this end. 

Coffeyviele is rapidly forging to the front as the metropolis and railroad 
center of Southeastern Kansas. With lines of railroads diverging in seven dif- 
ferent directions, and several more lines possible within the next year, our 
trary-ortation advantages are unparalleled by any town in the State. * Any in- 
dustry established here will have direct access to the best markets of the world 
by the cheapest and most practicable routes, and the farmers can secure the 
highest prices for produce by reason of our access to the competing markets. 
Our town is now the principal division point of the Missouri Pacific system, 
and a thirteen-stall round house and repair shop are now in course of con- 
struction. 

Elk City — Population 1,600, situated northwest corner of Montgomery 
county, on Southern Kansas and Missouri Pacific railroads. A thriving town, 
located at the junction of Elk river and Duck creek, in the center of a rich 
farming country. Has six church buildings, graded and high school, roller 
mill, steam and water power combined, grain elevators, fine shipping point. 

Caney is situated in the southwest corner of Montgomery county, on the 
border of ludian Territory; population 700; Mo. P R R.,* two churches, 
schools, etc. It wants a flouring mill and other business; good point to locate. 
Twenty miles from any other town of importance. 

Liberty is a thriving business point, located on the valley between the 
Verdigris river and Big creek; population 500; the Santa Fe runs two trains 
each way daily. The soil in this vicinity is adapted to whatever grows in this 
climate. The town is contiguous to one of the best wheat growing areas in 
Kansas. 

Havana, situated on the C. K. & W. Ry. 20 miles southwest of Indepen- 
dence in the Bee creek valley, is one of the best trading points, offers splendid 
inducements for business men and manufacturing enterprises. For further in- 
formation address C. P. Buffington, Director, Cherryvale, Kansas. 



—69— 

MORRIS COUNTY. 



0NE of the best adapted counties in the State for diversified farming; 200,000 
acres under cultivation. The county is admirably watered by the Neosho, 
liver and its numerous tributary streams ou theeast and south and by 
Clark's creek and Diamond creek on the northwest and southwest, forming 
about 7U0 miles of water course. 

The expansive valleys of the Neosho river and tributary streams and of 
Clark's creek and Diamond creek and their tributaries are among the richest 
lands in the State of Kansas, which are unsurpassed in fertility and productive 
Capacity by any lands in the temperate zone. The prairie Lands consist of slop 
iug and undulating uplands, in most instances fertile and productive, and in 
the numerous coves and basins the soil is often as deep as that of the bottoms. 

Morris is one of the best counties in Eastern Central Kansas for the farmer 
and stock raiser, as it has a large area of still unoccupied land, making abun- 
dant stock raugeaud hay land, while its farms are noted for the variety and 
abundance of crops. The uplands resemble those of Iowa aud Illinois, being 
usually very productive, and raising corn, small grains and forage crops with 
equal success. 

Railroad Facilities — Thecounty has 110 85-100 miles of railway, embrac- 
ing four of the leading western railway systems. The Missouri Pacific crosses the 
county from east to west; the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific from northeast to 
southwest; the Missouri, Kansas & Texas traverses the valley of the Neosho 
river from northwest to southeast, intersecting the two first named lines and 
White City aud Council Grove; the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railway has 
a branch crossing the southwest corner of the county. The assessed valuation 
of the railroad property for 1889 was $647,024.31. 

Farming and stock raising are the principal occupations of the people and 
are the main sources of wealth, although there are numerous manufacturing 
interests. Large quantities of quick lime are manufactured at Council Grove 
and shipped to all puts of the State. A great deal of magnesia lime stone of 
superior quality and thickness for building purposes is quarried and shipped 
from several points in the county. 

The county has always held a prominent position as a stock county, owing 
to its abundance of pure water and the adaptation of its soil for the production 
of corn, oats and forage crops in great abundance. Tame grass is becoming an 
important factor, and every variety grows luxuriantly; timothy, clover, blue 
and orchard grasses and alfalfa forming the leading varieties. The pastures of 
Morris county have become famous for their tine horses and cattle, and much 
interest is taken and large capital invested in these industries. 

CITIES AND TOWNS. 

Coungil Grove, the principal town and county seat, is a city of the second 
class and has a population of about 3,000. It is one of the substantial and pro- 
gressive cities of the State; is a division of the Missouri Pacific railway, with 
round house and machine shops of that road. 

White City, the second town in importance iu the county, is located at the 
crossing of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas, and Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 
railroads, aud is a nourishing town of nearly 800 population, with tine churches 
and schools. 

Dun lap, in the southeastern part of the county, is a prosperous community 
of nearly 500 inhabitants. Parkerville, also in the Neosho valley, is another 
thriving town of several hundred inhabitants. The town of Wilsey is a flour- 
ishing community, on the line of the Missouri Pacific. Delasan, Helmick, 
Diamond Springs, Comiskey, Kelso, Skiddy, Dwight, Latimer, Bur dick and 
Beman are all prosperous communities. For further information address 

J. M. Henson, Director, Council Grove, Kansas. 



-60- 

NESS COUNTY. 



"T^ESS COUNTY is essentially a farming and stock raising county. During 
J®/ the List rive years the development of her agricultural resources has been 
(@ continuous notwithstanding the general business depression. Every 
year has shown more farming and better crops. 

The official records of the State Board of Agriculture from which we shall 
quote all statistics given herein prove this. In '86 the assessed valuation of 
the cuunty was $7-17,752.16; in '88, $1,870 200.00. The total values of farm pro- 
ducts have been in 'So, $210,719 40; '86 $304,118.00; '87, $305, 925. 00; '88, $423,036.- 
57; '89, $429,654.50. In '85, the acreage of winter wheat was 2,855, the yield 34,- 
260 bushels; in '86 3,611 acres and 46.943 bushels; in '87, 4,203 acres and 42,030 
bushels; in '88, 10,141 acres and 131, 833 bushels; in '89, 10,265 acres and 153,975. 
For seven years the average yield of wheat has been 13 9-10 bushels per acre. 
Over 51 000 acres will be harvested in 1890 and wheat never looked better at 
this season of the year — February. In '89 County Commissioner Brumback got 
25 bushelsto the acre from 34 acres. County Commissioner Scherziuger raised 
42 bushels to the acre on 77 acres. This was the best field of so large an acreage 
in the State. 

While Ness is not surpassed as a wheat county it is not claimed that it is a 
great corn county. However, the 4,837 acres of corn in '85 had become 19,837 
in '89, and the yield had grown from 12<»,925 bushelsto 456,241. Ness ranked 
seventeenth among tbe 106 Kansas counties in broom corn, produciug 327,000 

founds in '80, and 11,522 tons of millet and Hungarian gave her fifteenth place, 
n '89 barley averaged 25 and oats 33 bushels to the acre, 85,734 bushels of rye 
being raised on the 4,763 acres sown. 10,646 pounds of cheese and 155,553 
pounds of butter were produced. The Ness City creamery sold $16,282 worth 
of butter from May 1, '89, when it opened, to Dec. 31, '89. In sorghum cane 
Ness stood first in Kansas, with 10 374 acres and a yield valued at $101,666 00. 
The capacity of the sugar mill at Ness City is greater than that of any other sor- 
ghum sugar mill in the world. In '86, at the Garden City Exposition, Ness took 
first prize overall the counties in Southwestern Kansas In '88, at the Kansas 
City Exposition, Ness met the best counties in Kansas and Missouri in com- 
petition as to display of farm products and divided first prize with Cass 
county, Missouri. With but 5,305 inhabitants in '89, Ness has good cause to 
be proud of her record. 

Tbe county is well watered by the Pawnee, Walnut, Forrester, South Fork, 
North Fork, and the tributaries of these and the Smoky Hi II river. Excellent well 
water is found at an average depth of thirty-five feet. There are small belts of 
timber on the streams. An abundance of the best building stone is found. 
Many fine buildings and miles of stone posts show this. 

Ness City with but about 1,000 inhabitants, has thirty-two stone and brick 
business houses. Certainly no town of the same population in the United States 
is more substantially built. Tbe Ness City flouring mill, roller process, is the 
largest found in this section. The Ness City high school is as handsomely 
built and ably conducted as any in Kansas. There are seventy-two organized 
school districts in the county. 

Ness county is equal distances from the north and south lines of the State 
and seventy miles west of the center of Kausas. Two railroads traverse 
the county from east to west. Ness is one of the six largest counties in Kan- 
sas, with an area of 1,080 square miles, 691,200 acres. Here are 4,320 farms of 
160 acres each, nearly every acre plough land. Over 3,000 of these are unoccu- 
pied. In one week Ness county can find good, cheap farms for over 3,000 
men. In Ness county you will find a fertile soil, a healthful climate and an 
abundance of cheap farms. You will find good water, good schools, good 
societj 7 and a cordial welcome. For further information address 

J. L. Gbben, Director, Ness City, Kansas. 



-61- 

PAWNEE COUNTY, 

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND PRODUCTIVE REGION OF THE ARKANSAS VALLEY. 



F\AWNEE COUNTY is a central county, lying in the great Arkansas valley. 
h^ It has as fine natural resources as any county in the State. The soil is a 
rich, black loam, capable of producing a great variety of crops in abun- 
dance. Ninety-five per cent of its area can be cultivated. This county is es- 
pecially adapted to the raising of wheat and all kinds of small grain. Wheat 
averaged twenty-five bushels per acre last year, and all otber crops were very 
satisfactory. Crops can be raised here at a less cost than in any of the older 
States. This county now has 50.0U0 acres of growing wheat, all looking well. 

Cattle and stock raising always bring. a good profit. We have excellent 
grazing grounds in abundance, and as our winters are short and mild it requires 
but little feed for stock. We have an inexhaustible bed of the finest potter's 
clay, and quarries of good building stone, which can be sawed into any shape 
desired. Coal is said to exist in several localities within the county. The county 
is well supplied with pure water by running streams, and wells can be had by 
boring from fifteen to twenty-five feet. 

Lands are cheap; improved farms can be bought at from $8 to $25 per acre 
on easy terms. Every township is supplied with good schools and church or- 
ganizations. Taxes are low, bonded indebtedness small, and county warrants 
have been worth par ever since the county was organized. 

Larned, the county seat of Pawnee county, is only fifteen years old aud 
is a city of 3,500 people. It is situated on the main line of the Atchison, To- 
peka & Santa Fe railroad, and the junction of the Chicago, Kansas & Western, 
and is also the terminus of the Denver, Memphis & Atlantic railroad; and being 
in the center of the United States, must necessarily become an important city. 
Larned has the United States land office, and is designated as one of the points 
for holding United States court, and expects an appropriation during the pres- 
ent year for a Government building. 

Larned rejoices in the discovery of the greatest artesian mineral well on 
the American continent. 

Larned has the best system of water works in the West; the city is lighted 
by electricity; it also has a street railway in operation, the best of public and 
private schools, and the different religious denominations have commodious 
church edifices. All the leading secret orders are represented. We have four 
of the best banking institutions in the West. 

The city of Larned is the most beautifully situated city in the State of 
Kansas. It is situated in a sloping curve from the Arkansas river valley back 
to the more elevated prairie. About one-half of the city is built Id the valley 
and one-half on elevated ground. The Pawnee creek, a clear, pretty stream, 
bordered with forest trees, watering large tracts of farming land, here empties 
into the Arkansas; the effect being most charming and picturesque. Its present 
advantages, with its lines of railroad, its factories, its churches and schools, and 
its recently discovered medicinal waters, making it a great health resort, is 
scarcely equaled by any, and her future must be one of the greatest cities of the 
West. We have a fine climate, good people, and no saloons and gambling dens 
to allure the young. 

If you want productive soil, healthy climate, mild winters and good people 
come to Pawnee connty, Kansas. The suu shines on no fairer or richer coun- 
try thau can be found in the Arkansas valley. If you want a home in the land 
of churches, schools and good society, you will find it in Pawnee county, the 
garden spot of the valley. If you are seeking the stock breeder's paradise, no 
where on the green earth can you find as much of it as you can in Pawnee 
county, If you are seeking a safe investment for money, Pawnee county is the 
safest bank in the world. There never was a better time to invest in Pawnee 
county lands than now. You will make a serious mistake if you fail to visit 
Pawnee county. For further information address 

C. W. Depue, Director, Larned, Kansas. 



-62- 



PRATT COUNTY. 



TT7HE second county west of Sedgwick (in which Wichita is located) is Pratt, 
djfe situated directly on a line drawn through the ceuter of the State from 
north to south, the most fertile and best watered of the southwestern 
couuties. Organized as a couuty less than a dozen years ago, it has risen rapid- 
ly and by reason of superior resources has taken rank in the front with the best 
couuties of the State. It is intersected by four prominent lines of railroads, 
namely: Rock Island, Missouri Pacific, Wichita & Western (Santa Fe), and 
C. K. & W (Santa Fe.) It is rapidly becoming one of the leading wheat coun- 
ties of the State, the average production in 1889 being thirty bushels per acre, 
eight bushels above the State average. Corn last year averaged forty bushels 
per acre. All other crops also went above the Slate average. Sorghum cane, 
the future great product of Kansas, is produced here in its best state. This fact 
beiug shown has induced the location here of the largest sorghum sugar enter- 
prise in the world and the only sugar refinery west of St. Louis, requiring the 
investment of over half a million dollars capital, work on the construction of 
which is now actively in progress The plan of this enterprise is the solution 
of the sugar problem in the United States as it has been solved in Germany. 
A central plant for the manufacture of raw sugar is being constructed, this to 
be fed by outside plants which work the cane up into juice, this juice being 
piped to the central plant for the final process. In connection with this the 
central plant will have a refinery to turn out a fiuished product of commercial 
sugar. This industry is to be completed in time for this year's cane crop, the 
first of August. Cane is the most profitable and surest crop that can be raised 
iu this climate and this system places the market for it right at the farmer's 
door. Choice fertile farmlands may be had here for from $10 to J20 per acre. 
Here is offered a desirable location for the rock-ridden farmers of the east to 
find a home and lands, every foot of which is tillable; a profitable field for in- 
vestors and manufacturers. Pratt county extends an invitation to all to "come 
and see." 

Several good towns dot the Hues of railroads traversing Pratt county, af- 
fording adequate means of communication and ample market for the agricul- 
tural products of the county. Among them are Preston, Natrona, Iuka, Cul- 
lison, Saratoga, Sawyer, Coates and Cairo, beside the county seat, the city of 
Pratt. At nearly all these points are to be located sugar plants of the diffusion 
process subsidary to the central plant and refinery. These plants will work up 
the cane as it comes from the field into juice of the consistency necessary to 
piping. The convenience and cheapness of this plan places the industry far in 
advance of the present methods and will thus in time make Pratt county the 
center of the sugar industry of the United States. The advantage to property 
interests in these towns is apparent. When the sugar industry shall have reach- 
ed its development, the city of Pratt will be noted as the "New Orleans of the 
West." 

In addition to this great industry, Pratt county has a vein of salt beneath 
her soil sufficient to "save the universe." A well has been drilled in the limits 
of Pratt, showing the salt bed to be 280 feet in thickness and 99 per cent pure. 
It is in the great salt belt of which Hutchinson is now the center of operation, 
and the analysis shows the Pratt county salt to be more than equal to the 
Hutchinsou salt, which is superior to any rock salt now being utilized in the 
East. Pratt county thus has within her means to cheapen two of the neces- 
saries of life and of "busting the trusts" in these two articles. For further infor- 
mation address G. H. Saunders, Director, Pratt, Kansas. 



— <ra— 

RUSSELL COUNTY. 



CENTER OF THE STATE — CHEAP LANDS, BEAUTIFUL HOMES, AND HEALTHFUL 
LOCALITY — THE GREAT WHEAT PRODUCING SEC- 
TION — WELCOME STRANGERS. 

RUSSELL COUNTY is located near the center of the State. The county is 
on the line of the Union Pacific railroad as well as the Salina, Lincoln & 
Western, and contains 576,000 acres. The surface is slightly undulating. 
Bottom lands comprise about one-fifth of the total area. The soil is a deep, black 
loam, varying in depth from two to four feet. The county is watered by the Sa 
line and Smoky Hill rivers and their tributaries and the'huudreds of beautiful 
springs for which Russell county is noted. 

Timber skirts the banks of the streams, the principal varieties being oak, 
ash, elm, willow, black walnut, box elder, and cedar. 

Coal is abundant and cheap, it being mined in several parts of the couuty. 
A new and extensive shaft is now being sunk near Russell. 

Building stone, of the finest quality, is abundant, such as lime, magnesian 
lime, and brown sand stone. Fence poets are made from the lime stone at 
trilling cost. 

The school system is complete, all parts of the county receiving its advan- 
tages. Our people are not burdened by heavy taxes as' the county is practi- 
cally free from debt. 

Russell City, located on the line of the Union Pacific Railway, is the 
county seat. It is one of the live towns of central Kansas; has a popul'.tion of 
about 1,200 and is rapidly coming to the front. Tiie city bus six churches and 
three papers, it has fine school buildings, all kinds of 'business houses neces- 
sary, besides manufactories, and everything that goes to make a good town. 

Bunker Hill, located on the line of the Union Pacific Railway, nine 
miles east of Russell, is a thriving town of about ttOO population. 

Dorrance is also on the line of the Union Pacific railway, in the eastern 
part of the county, and has a population of about 300. 

Lucas, on the line of the S. L. & W. railway, in the famous Wolf Creek 
Valley is a new and thriving town. 

Luray, also on the line of the S. L. & W. railway, in the Wolf Creek Val- 
ley is a lively town. Other towns are Waldo, Fairport, and Gorham. 

Wheat, rye, corn, barley, and oats are among the cereals raised in abun- 
dance and with profit, Russell county leading Central Kansas in this respect. 
Sorghum, millet, Hungarian grass and rice corn are extensively grown for 
stock purposes. Broom corn receives no little attention. Potatoes, both Irish 
and sweet, are largely raised, while all other vegetables are easily propagated. 
Fruit raising is receiving considerable attention. 

Stock raising is a very profitable industry, and is followed quite extensively 
by many. Sheep husbandry has also proven very remunerative. Russeil 
county is becoming well-known for its fine blooded stock. 

At present you can buy raw lands in Russell county with small payments 
down and long time on balance at *4 and $5 per acre, which is cheaper than 
having government land given to you, where you have to live on and cultivate 
it for five years. Improved farms, $5 per acre and upwards, according to im- 
provements and location. 

You can not afford to go into a new country and wait for improvements, 
neighbors, etc. You have all the advantages of vour own home the day you 
arrive. Better than all we have the healthiest country on the globe. 

For further information address 

G. A. Spencer. Director, Russell, Kansas. 



RUSH COUNTY 



rS thirty-six miles west of the exact center of the State; has a population of 
6,000; an area of 720 square miles; is 80 per cent rolling prairie and 20 per 
cent bottom land. The soil, a black loam of unequaled fertility, is from 
three to ten feet deep and rests on a clay subsoil. One span of horses is suffic- 
ient to break the sod, as soon as broken it is in a complete state of cultivation. 
The labor necessary to tend one acre of crop east of the Missouri river will tend 
three acres here. There is neither gumbo, hard pan or alkali or any untillable 
quarter section in the county. Numerous quarries of magnesia lime stone and 
natural lime supply cheap and permanent building material. The stone is ex- 
tensively used for fence posts. The Walnut river in the south, Big Timber creek in 
the northwest, and many smaller creeks, springs and shallow wells furnish an 
abundant supply of pure water free from all objectionable properties. Besides 
the abundant timber along the creeks, several hundred acres have been planted 
to groves. In climate and healthfulness Kansas has no rival. No part of Kan- 
sas is more favored in that respect than Rush county. The Santa Fe and Mis- 
souri Pacific railroads cross the county and provide nine stations. No part of 
the county is far distant from one of them. Within the past three 
years the assessed valuation has more than doubled. Rush county has twenty- 
five church organizations, sixty-three organized school districts, eighteen post- 
offices, seven secret societies, agricultural and horticultural societies, five 
banks, six newspapers, two steam flouring mills, elevators, etc. In 1889 there 
were planted 35,193 acres in wheat, yielding a little over 1,000,000 bushels; 19,780 
acres corn, yielding thirty to forty bushels per acre; also rye, oats, barley, pota- 
toes, millet, sorghum, garden vegetables, fruits, etc. Raising cattle and horses 
and dairying are prominent industries. Short and mild winters, nutritive 
grasses that afford pasture the year round, abundance of good water and range 
make the expense and labor incident to the business less here than elsewhere. 
Seventy-three cars of cattle were shipped from one of the nine stations alone 
last year. The State law renders the fencing of crops unnecessary. Stock is 
either herded or confined to pastures. Fences are made generally of barbed wire 
and the stone posts before mentioned and are cheap and permanent. Many or- 
chards have been planted, some are in bearing. Grapes and small fruits do 
well. An adjoining county took the premium on fruit display at the State fair 
last season. Rush county has among her population people from nearly all the 
states as well as from many of the foreign countries. The Russian colony in the 
north part of the county is a good illustration of what can be accomplished. 
About seventy families coming direct from the old country, located in 1878. 
They had no capital but their energy. They now have good farms, farm 
machinery, droves of cattle and horses, and granaries filled to overflowing. One 
family raised 15,000 bushels of wheat the past season. The Bohemian and 
German colonies in the eastern part of the county, have done equally well. J. 
H. Teten, of Rush Center, threshed 60,000 bushels of wheat in a space of 4x7 
miles; others threshed 10,000 in the same territory, which included nine vacant 
sections of land; some fields yielded forty-six bushels per acre, average test 60 
pounds. Just as good lands as those on which above crops were grown can be 
purchased at from $5 to $15 per acre on easy terms. The space allotted to us in 
this book will not permit the introduction of the many statements furnished us 
by farmers who came to Rush county with little or nothing and now have well 
improved farms, well stocked with cattle, horses, farm implements, etc. You 
would be interested in reading their statements of wonderful crops raised with 
little labor and expense. We are also prevented from using the statements of 
cattle men who have engaged in the business in the State for many years. If 
you will kindly send us your address we will mail you a pamphlet, describing 
Rush county, its climate, natural resources and advantages for the home-seeker. 
For further information address 

O. S. Holt, Director, Rush Center, Kansas. 



-65- 

SALINE COUNTY. 



ALINE COUNTY is situated almost in the center of Kansas, and is 
twenty-four by thirty miles in extent. The surface is diversified, about 
one-third being level, bottom land, and the remainder gently undulating 
upland. The bottom lands along the Smoky Hill, Saline, and Solomon rivers 
and tributary streams are extensive in area and excellent in quality. Tbe up- 
lands are very little inferior to the bottoms. The soil is very rich and deep. 

Wheat is the foremost production of the county, and Saline is the banner 
county of the State in the production of that cereal. The crop of 18S9 was two 
and one-half millions of bushels. Corn is the second crop in importance and 
is very successful, especially on the bottom lands. Oats, rye, barlev, millet, 
sorghum, and other feed crops are produced as well as various tame grasses. 
Fruits of all kinds are very successful, and there are many large and produc- 
tive orchards and vineyards in the county. Stock raising is largely carried on 
and is very profitable, pasture and feed being cheap. Living water is furnished 
by springs and flowing streams. The mineral resources of the county are 
principally salt in the central and western portion and gypsum throughout the 
eastern portion. The manufacture of salt is carried on by solar evaporation, 
but there is a good field for capital in the erection of steam plants for this pro- 
duction. Gypsum is manufactured into stucco and plaster of pans, and the 
supply is inexhaustible. The Smoky Hill river flows from the south to the 
north and east through the county in a valley averaging seven miles wide, 
while the Saline river from the northwest unites with it in the eastern portion 
of the county. Tributary to these are Mulberry, Dry, and Spring creeks, each 
occupying a valley of considerable width, while Gypsum creek, in the eastern 
part of the county has also a fine valley. 

These streams furnish good water power, which seldom fail, and four large 
flouring mills are thus supplied with power. The mills of Salina produce 
daily 1,500 barrels of flour, which find a market in Colorado, Texas and Europe. 

The county is well supplied with railroads, as will be observed on any State 
map; the Union Pacific main line, with two branches, south and northwest; 
the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; the Rock Island, and the Missouri Pacific 
main line to Colorado, furnishing excellent facilities for shipping produce or 
distributing the retail trade from a wholesale center. 

Salina is situated in the center of the county, on the banks of the Smoky 
Hill river. The population is fully 10,000 and is increasing. Already a large 
wholesale trade is established. The position and railroad facilities of Salina 
make it certain that this trade will increase, and that the city will be the com- 
mercial center for a large portion of central and western Kansas. The city has 
three colleges, largely attended, and a good system of public schools and high 
schools. The traveling public is accommodated in a fine brick four-story $100,- 
000 hotel, and many other smaller houses. 

We have a good line of street railway, two electric light plants, gas works, 
and a system of water works costing $100,000. Six flouring mills and six ele- 
vators care for our wheat and furnish a good market. Two daily and five 
weekly newspapers, and one of the largest blank book houses in the State are 
doing a healthy business in Salina. A planing mill, broom factories, two 
foundries, carriage factory, and other similar enterprises furnish employment 
to our skilled mechanics. We have a term of the United States District Court, 
and a bill now pending in Congress has passed the Senate, appropriating 
$150,000 for a United States court house and post-office. Farm and city property 
is of reasonable value on a sound basis. 

For further information address 

Taylor Miller, Director, Salina, Kansas. 



-e»- 
SCOTT COUNTY. 



Land $2.50 to $3.50 Per Acre. 



T pOCATION— Scott county lies in the 
■^ center of the State north and south, 
and about seventy miles east of the 
Colorado line. 

Climate — The climate is superb — 
air pure and invigorating. Summer 
nights are cool and refreshing, and 
winters are short and mild. 

Health — As evidence of the general 
good health in Scott county it is only 
necessary to state that the county af- 
fords but one doctor. 

Society — The society here is equal 
to that of the Eastern states. The C. 
P., M. E., and Christian churches hold 
regular services in all parts of the 
county, and Sunday schools flourish in 
the various neighborhoods. The citi- 
zens here are mostly from refined, cul- 
tured Eastern homes, and are con- 
genial as a class. 

Schools — School facilities are excel- 
lent, and a good corps of teachers is 
employed. 

Soil— The soil is a dark loam, con- 
taining just enough sand to make a 
plough scour, and is very easily sub- 
dued. An ordinary team can break 
from 2 to 2£ acres per day. The price 
of breaking is $2 to $2.25 per acre. 

Water— Pure and soft, showing no 
alkali under chemical test, something 
that can not be said of every locality 
in the West. Water is obtained at an 
average depth of about forty-five feet. 

Streams— Scott county is well sup- 
plied with water for stock by the White 
Woman river in the west and south, 
and Beaver creek, never failing stream 
in the north, with various other small- 
er streams, fed by large springs, 
such as Lion creek. Hell creek, Slate 
creek and several others. 

Government Lands— There still re- 
mains in this county government land 
that may be taken under the home- 
stead and pre-emption laws. 

Relinquishments — A relinquish- 
ment may be obtained from persons 
having filed on government land at 
from $25 to $125 per quarter section- 



purchaser then being entitled to enter 
the land in their stead. Send stamp for 
copy of land laws. 

Roads — Roads always in excellent 
condition, and horses here being more 
hardy and tough than those of Eastern 
raising, a drive of eighty miles is some 
times made in a single day, and sixty 
miles is considered an ordinary day's 
drive. 

Farming and Stock Raising! — 
Chief among the occupations of the citi- 
zens here are farming and stock rais- 
ing, both of which pursuits are follow- 
ed with profit. Wheat, oats, rye, bar- 
ley, broom corn, sorghum, millet, etc., 
yield abundantly. Each year is grown 
a bountiful crop of sorghum, one of the 
best plants for provender, vastly sup- 
erior to timothy or clover. One farmer 
can easily raise sufficient of this plant 
to feed 500 head of cattle for the season, 
as we usually have to feed about four 
weeks. Stock will leave all other feed 
to get this. Potatoes and other vegeta- 
bles are very successfully grown, and 
the mild winters, lollowed by early 
springs, furnishes early vegetables for 
tab}e use. 

Trees — Many farmers now have 
young orchards and groves in a thrifty 
growing coudition. Small fruits thrive 
exceptionally well in this climate. 

County Seat— Scott City is the 
county seat and the principal town of 
the county. This promising place is 
located on a slight elevation in the 
exact geographical center of the county 
at the junction of the Missouri Pacific 
main line from St Louis to Denver, 
and the Denver cut-off of the Santa Fe, 
giving the county competing lines of 
railway — a very important item. The 
various branches of business have be- 
come represented here, and societies of 
all kinds organized. A handsome brick 
C. P. church and commodious frame 
M. E. edifice adorn the town, and four 
secret societies are organized and in a 
flourishing condition. Two newspapers 
are published in the town ; sample cop- 
ies of which may be obtained free by 
addressing the Sentinel-Herald. For 
further information address 

D. F. Hall, Director, 
Scott City, Kansas. 



_«7- 



SEDGWICK COUNTY. 



Acres of land in County, 
" " " cultivation, 

" unfit for cultivation, - 
" first bottom land, 
" second bottom land, • 
" rich black prairie land. 



SEDGWICK COUNTY— A ge. 20 years; Population, largest in the State. 

680,000 ~~ ~\ WICHITA-Asre 19 

300,000 
- NONE. 
435,200 
135,000 
110,000 



WICHITA 

HAS 117 

MANUFAC- 
TORIES. 



years, Population 
largest in State. 
Sob. ol Population, 8,457. 

The government of the city 
and the pood order not sur- 
passed by and city in world. 



STOCK— Cattle 81, 60 

Hogs 60,000 

Sheep 9,202 

Horses 15,126 

Mules 2.388 



GRAIN- 

Wheat— acres, 14.295; 
Com— " 145,133; 
Oat*— " 51,917; 
Grasses— " 4,309. 




-68- 

SEWARD COUNTY. 



'EWARD COUNTY was organized by proclamation of Governor Martin, 
\ June 17, 1886. It is one of the southern tier of counties, and the third 
from the Colorado line. The first census of the county gave the popula- 
tion as 2,251, and the returns for 1889 indicate a population of 3 926 

Th fr to ^?„ of s P rin g field wa s selected as the county seat at an election held 
August 5, 1886. 

In politics, the county has always been strongly Republican. In the matter 
of educational facilities, the county is well provided. 

There are now twenty-eight organized school'districts, in nearly all of 
which are comfortable and commodious school houses. All the leading Pro- 
testant denominations have organized churches; there is also one Catholic 
church in the county. 

The towns in the county are Springfield, located near the center of the 
county- Arkalon, in the Cimarron valley, twelve miles southeast of Spring- 
field on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railway; and Liberal, situated near 
the south line of the county, also on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pac. railway 

Springfield, the county seat, occupies a sightly location, overlooking the 
Cimarron val ey. Has finely graded- streets and an excellent system of water 
works, recently completed at a cost of $25,000. Its hotels, school building 
costing $12 000, and business houses are unsurpassed by any other countv seat 
town in this section of the State. J 

r , Af 1 ^ 01 * is situated in the center of the Cimarron valley on the Rock 
ft ™n ra ' lwa y- It w a thriving town; has a fine school building, costing 
$4,000; and a Parkinson sugar mill, costing $100 000 

The town of Liberal is the present terminus of the Rock Island railway, 
and enjoys a fine trade from the territory south and west. It also has fine 
hotels, business houses and a sugar mill of the same pattern as the one at 
Arkalon. A school building, costing $8,000, is now in process of erection. 

The newspapers of the county are the Springfield Republican, Arkalon 
News, Liberal Leader, and the Southwest Chronicle 

«,™fT he f D ^. al Sl °« P ^V 0f t V he K surfa< * of the county is from the northwest to the 
southeast. Three-fifths of the surface of the county consist of buffalo prairie- 
the remainder, a mixture of buffalo and blue stem. There is no broken or 
rough land except along the border of the Cimarron valley, which tiaverses 
the county from the northwest to the southeast uaverses 

The soil of the uplands is a deep, rich, black loam, and unsurpassed in 
productiveness. The blue stem land is a lighter loam, but experience shows 
SfiLViX 111 t? eqUally as well. The Cimarron valley is from one-balf to lo 
m es wide. The growth of native grasses in this valley is trulv remarkahlP- 
fully 5,000 tons of hay was harvested in 1889. J Y remarlsable » 

At the State Fair, held in Topeka in September, 1887, Seward county was 
awarded the first .premium for the best agricultural display made by newly or- 
ganized counties in Western Kansas. The following season Seward county was 
awarded third premium in competition with all the counties of the State 

lhe special claims and inducements offered bv Seward countv to immi- 
grants may be briefly stated as follows: This county^onTains a Trger per c?n 

nSSZni f Wh n?SS e frt nd stock - rais .r; s than an ^ other countywestof Meade or 
Jtord and south of the Arkansas river; it has more farmers who have made money 
by farming alone than any other county in the territory named- its rate of tax- 
ation is lower; it is the only county in the State hav /two hoVou^lv equtp 
ped Parkinson sugar m lis; the Cimarron valley furnishes an unified supply 
of hay and forage for winter, and a never failing supply of water- as a conse^ 
quence the stockmen are all prosperous. The bre^ along the borders Sf the 
valley afford ample protection against snow storms ooraers oi tne 

Seward county has solicited no aid or assistance and needs none. The price 
of farm lands is very low ranging from $3 to $7 per acre. You win find moTe 
enterprising citizens, better terms, and brighter prospects in Reward mrnvf! 

^ 1 L^°?h n ? ln thl9 Immed , ia t e sec^on y t he P SUte, Stoit 
mamy Reward, the banner eounty of the southwest °«*>**, 

For further information addrea J. K. Bkadchamp. Director. Liberal. Km, 



SHAWNEE COUNTY. 



T^NOPULATTON— The population of the county has steadily increased since 

v~^ its organization, in 1855, until it ranks first in the listof 106 counties, and 

had, in 1889. a population of 55,904. The population of the city of Topeka 

in 1889, was 35,622. By the annexation of suburbs and natural growth, this has 

been increased to 45,000. 

Value of Property— The assessed value of its property in 1889 was $17,- 
041,579. 

Agriculture— The county is admirably adapted to agriculture. 

Public Institutions— The State capital building nearing completion, will 
cost over $3,000,000. 

Tub State Reform School for boys, located near Topeka, has buildings 
and grounds worth $150,000. 

An Insane Asylum near Topeka comprises a group of nine buildings 
which, including the site, is valued at $771,855, and is designed to accommodate 
750 inmates. 

Churches — There are 121 church organizations in Topeka, and sixty-two 
church buildings, worth $6:-!2, 000. In addition to these, there are over thirty 
church organizations and nineteen buildiugs in the county outside of Topeka. 
The total church membership of the county is over 13,000. 

City Schools— The city of Topeka has twenty-four school buildings that 
cost $420,000, in which 126 teachers are employed. This free school system cost 
the city in 18S0, $100,000. 

District Schools— There are 100 school districts outside of the city schools 
employ iujj 113 teachers, and having school property valued at $560,000. 

Washburn College — (Congregational) Liberally endowed and superbly 
equipped; has property worth #500,000, and has an enrollment of 241. 

Bethany College — (Episcopal) For young ladies; employs twenty-six 
teachers; has buildings and grounds worth $425,000, and an enrollment of 380. 
There are also two business colleges, a Catholic school, a theological and a Ger- 
man school, and the Methodists have acquired 800 acres of land near the city, 
and will establish a great central university. 

Libraries— There are seven public libraries in Topeka, affording the citi- 
zens free access to 94,500 volumes. 

Financial— Topeka has twelve banks with a capital and surplus of $2,381,- 
000, and fourteen loan companies with a capital of $2,886,000, a total capital of 
$5,267,000. 

Street Railways— Topeka has six street and suburban railway com- 
panies, four of which use steam motors. 

Electric Lights — Four electric light companies, having a capital of $3,- 
000,000, entitle Topeka to pre-eminence as the "Electric City." 

Paving — Eleven miles of street paving, consisting of asphalt, cedar blocks 
and stone, costing over $1,100,000, demonstrates the progressive spirit of Tope- 
ka's people. 

Newspapers— Topeka has three daily, eighteen weekly and nineteen 
monthly newspapers. 

Mills — There are ten mills and elevators in Shawnee county, with a capi- 
tal of $630,000, and a capacity of 2,100 barrels daily. 

Railroads— There are four trunk lines of railway traversing the county 
and centering atTooeka: The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, the Union Pacific, 
the Missouri Pacific and the Rock Island. These lines, with their branches, 
radiating in all directions, render access to Topeka convenient from all parts 
of the State. The geueral offices and shops of the first named," located in Tope- 
ka, employ 2,600 men. 

General Advantages— Topeka and Shawnee county have grown sym- 
metrically. Their educational, religious, commercial and political advantages 
are in harmony. For further information address 

James A. Troutman Director, Topeka, Kansas. 



STAFFORD COUNTY 

jTS located about sixty-two miles from the exact geographical center of the 
1 united btatea, one county south and one county west of the ceuter of 
™r?/ifo r l? aS ' , rhe . we fJ lin«of the county runs almost parallel with the 99th 
mendian, and agricultural statistics for the past few years have demonstrated 
that the great com belt of the West lies between the 98th and 99th meridians 

«,Tft ?M *u\ ^° St ^P^ant advantages of her peculiar location, however, is 
me tact mac there is a ' 

NATURAL SYSTEM OF SUB-IRRIGATION, 
which is alone an inexhaustible mine of wealth to her agricultural interests 
Ihe Arkansas river, in making its "great bend" from Kinsley to Hutchinson 

™«tTr S J hl ' ee - B1 ffl ° the te""ory of which Stafford county is the center.' 
This territory is a 1 Arkansas valley, or second bottom land, and a total failure 
from drouth in this section is an impossibility. In addition to a largSy in- 
creased rainfall there is a natural system of sub-irriagation which comes up 
from a sheet of pure soft water, four feet in depth, underlying the entire 
county at an average depth of twenty-two feet, and in many places not over six 
or eight feet from the surface. The cost of a well in this county is very in JS 
nincant and the supply of water obtained is inexhaustible, no well ever beiue 
tS g ° ^ . T £ 18 im I?ortant feature demands consideration, as it give! 
advantages second to those of no other county. S 

THE SOIL 

!!■?£& H? h ' ^i* *! -, an -? y lo f m ' re8tin ^ u P° n a P° rous cla v sub-soil. The 
porosity of the soil, while it renders it capable of being plowed after the heaviest 

rains, at the same time keeps it constantly moist by evupora on from below 
and protects it from drouth. The soil varies from four to seven feet in depth 
and is entirely free from rock or alkali. uepm, 

In 1889, with a population of only 8,417, and with nearly 300 000 acres of 
her land yet unimproved, Stafford county harvested the -foliowin" crops Ac- 
cording to the last official report of the State Board of Agriculture- P ' 



CROPS. 



Corn bus. 

Winter Wheat " 

Spring Wheat •' 

Outs " 

Rye » 

Barley •« 

Buckwheat " 

Irish Potatoes «• 

Sweet Potatoes... " 

Ca6tor Beans " 

Sorghum 

Flax bus. 

Cotton lbs. 

Tobacco " 

Broom Corn " 



Am't 
Raised. 

3,743 50> 

218,130 

2,934 

293,724 

71,700 

825 

1,114 

34 800 

9.800 

4,383 

18 

800 

600 

1228 600 



Acres 
Harv'td 

83, 189 

9,915 

163 

7,1G1 

3,585 

33 

104 

464 

98 

487 

8,395 

a 

l 
l 

1,881 



Value. 



CROPS. 



$673,830 90 Millet and HuDgar- 

104,702.40 Ian tons. 

1,320.30 Tame Hay tons. 

44,058 .60 Prai'ie Hay 
17,208 00 Anim'ls sold for Slg'tr 
206.26 v\ ool Clip of 1889. . . 

686.411 Cheese 

12.I80.no butter 

69,400.00 Milk, sold '.'." 

6.880.00 Poultry & Eggi, sold 

M82.00 Fruit, sold./...! 

18.00 Garden Products 

24.00 Hogs, 1889 No 

60 00 Cattle, 1889 " 

89 ' 501 H Total 



Aiu't 
Raised 

12,654 

17,627 



50.160 
77.68s 



A res 
Harv'td 

6,327 
69 



Value. 



50,616.00 

276.00 

52,881.00 

161,765 00 

3,151.0s 

33.50 

33,442 78 

601.00 

14,349.00 

3,453.00 

3.H37 00 

172.560 00 

776 880.00 



Amount per capita ' ^7 

Amount per capita of farming population.T.lC!"*"!"."""!"!".'.'' '* S4s 



116,878| 2.2.)7,304_21 

81 



348.65 



Average of total agricultural products per 'acre!'.!.".""!!."'!!!.'." 19 14 

wJ^n^kfS? Sy * te ™ s traverse the county, the Santa Fe" running east and 
west, and the Missouri Pacihc northwest and southeast. 




enterprising merchants, and is a splendid trading point" Macksvii iird 

For further information address 

Ii. H. Fisher, Director, St. John, Kansas 



considerable importance. 



STANTON COUNTY. 



IN giving a brief sketch of our county it is not our aim to fill this paragraph 
with a lot of windy assertions that cau'not be substantiated, but merely to 
place before the readers a few solid facts which alone are sufficient to con- 
vince the intelligent mind of the superior advantages this county (.tiers to the 
home-seeker and capitalist; equal toor above all other counties in Southwestern 
Kansas. 

Stanton is one of the extreme southwestern counties of Kansas. It is bounded 
on the north by Hamilton, on the east by Grant, on the south by Morton and 
on the west by Colorado and the great cattle trail. The county is twenty-four 
miles wide and twenty-eight and a quarter miles long, having an area of 678 
square miles. 

Its topographical advantages are numerous. The entire area from north 
to south, east to west forms a magnificent valley of far stretching beautiful 
prairie land covered by a vast variety of nutritious grasses, among which the 
buffalo, gramma and sage are most prominent. The land is principally level, 
but in all the portions of the county sufficiently undulating to afford perfect 
drainage. The soil ranges from two to four feet in depth. It is of a rich, dark, 
sandy loam and susceptible to the cultivation of any conceivable plant known 
to agriculture or horticulture. The porous structure of the soil makes it partic- 
ularly easy of cultivation, thereby enabling the farmer to cultivate much 
larger tracts of land than he could in many of the eastern and older states. 

°What Margaret Fuller calls the "Sense of Divine Youth" seems an all per- 
vading principle here, and the seasons and the generally healthful influences of 
the life inspiring winds, water and atmosphere are revelations to visitors from 
the older states. Being located between the 37th and 38th degrees of latitude, 
within close proximity to the Rockies, whose gentle mountain breezes continu- 
ally pervade and purify the atmosphere from the humidity so prevalent to sea 
coast countries, making tbe climate healthful and invigorating, furnishing its 
lucky inhabitants with all the advantages of a semi-trophical zone, allowing 
the farmer and mechanic to labor ten long months in the year beneath the 
canopy of soft Italian skies, with a temperature conducive to health and vigor. 

The annual rainfall ran ,es from twenty to thirty inches, and is generally 
well distributed over the growing season. The water through the county is 
abundant, pure and wholesome. 

There is room for 10.000 more good men in Stanton county; brave, confi- 
dent, self-helpful men to grow corn and raise live stock; mechanics to build 
homes, churches, school houses, stores in the towns, and homes on the farms. 
Farmers and stockmen who have not the means to buy farms in the East, or 
who are crowded out by oppressive landlords can here secure for themselves 
good farms in the valleys and on the slopes at prices ranging from $3.25 to $8 
per acre. By stockiug these cheap farms with sheep, cattle or horses there is 
for them a future of competency, comfort and independence. The guaranty of 
their success, however, is care, diligence and complete abstinence from specu- 
lation. For such men— men of large or moderate means, good judgment and 
working ability, Stanton county has a splendid future. 

Johnson City, the county seat and only commercial town in the county, is 
admirably located on a charming plateau in the center of the county, and is 
thirty miles from Syracuse on the Santa Fe railroad with which road it is con- 
nected by daily stage and the Western Union telegraph. The town has superb 
natural drainage, and abounds in magnificent building sites. It commands a 
beautiful view of Bear creek valley, by which it is half encircled. It is well 
supplied with church and school edifices. Its citizens comprise an energetic 
class of mechanics and business and professional men. For further information 
address P. M. Starnes, Director, Johnson City, Kansas. 



STEVENS COUNTY. 



-> Colorado State line Tbe coSmv f^wl/f SeC ° nd ^ Unty east from «*« 
tains 466,560 acres of land nearly ever J w S^?? Ven miles S( l Uare and con " 
The county is one vasTwmtiv ^^nStwl W ^- Ch - S f USCeptibletocultiva tion. 
ular chains of low bills The soil t » # P l rame » intersected with two trreg- 
from seven to twenty feet and its fr r«H^ • ' sa ?. d y loam, varying in depth 
lent crops of corn, wheat oate can! S,Vfi/ S pr , ac ti calp / inexhaustible. Excel- 

have been grown 'e^ffijTtttfdSW ""* f ° fage plaats 
turnips and other roots yield lar-e cro^ rw™ . potatoes, peanuts, beets, 
first time last season, and the Suits wSp ?n*ZS™ m Tu ere tested for the 
acreage will be grown this y«l Cmi n ga ^ ing , that a much lar 8'^ 
scale last season and a largllmount of h,>h IZf P? bere on au extensive 
of the most remunerative Son? irrowr f &- g ad ? brusb - was marketed. One 
of water and musk melons c/cumbeTs taTaZ^fZ Q ^ Huudred « of acres 
for seedsmen. Cotton has been testS ?2 » ■£ i'i C> ' afe - grown under contract 
The native grasses afford Iw^leS MstuStSS S y Witb g ra ^ iu S results, 
but little additional feed durinJ th? ™™? g i tbe / ear r °und, stock requir- 
es treme mildness of the cbmate butTft I Sf ^ Weatber ' ° win g to the 
that for but a few days at a time An fntlt G k^ 1S re< l uired for stock, and 
from alkali, is found 7 at depth valine from^S? S ^ y ° f PU ? water free 
nver, to 125 feet. The water oSKS g i„ « . few / eet ' near the Cimarron 
of variable thickness, and ha?Len fmfnl in VGm ° f COarse S ravel and sand 
confidently believed that «3S*otf ™ ? u everv P art of the county. It is 

five hundred feet Test wells wilTbe'^V 6 had „ a J a depth of not ^ exceed 
Is adequate to the growth aid nJatarttv of «ii°n! n thu .«" mmeri Tbe raiufa11 
the physical conditions of the Suntryf P * 8Ulted t0 this latitude and 

ten Samper a^Z^^ ^ offer a bounty of 

Thousands of Cottonwood °map fewZ L a ta ,K t0 be culfc i™ted five years, 
have been growing for thXnd Tfonr vi™ > mulb ?«y ; and other forest trees 
successfully grown. Fruits hx In! ^ars, demonstrating that forests can be 
and cherr/tfees bore specimens of Lit 'L? 1 ^ ****** A few peacb - P lu ^ 
winter-kill, make a quick v?4rous £0 vf h L^ "' *? d ¥ tbese trees do not 
insects, they will doubtless do well. g ' a " d are free from tbe rava ges of 

and towns, making taxatiSn "omparati^^h?* m ° St ° f the neW couuties 

at a cost of seven thousand dollar? It £ I h ^i W f buiU ia the fal1 of ^ 

been completed at a cost of four thousand LuL fln ° scb ° o1 h °use has just 
graded school of four departments dollars. It will accommodate a 

inth^no^vest: " l^m^^t^^ T *"!?* ^Moonlight 
south, and Moscow and Zella m" the noX™? 00 ™? 8 and T , Lafa ^tte in the 
Lafayette and Moscow are good trading no intT ^° f tbese Derm ot, Voorhees 
ther information address TpS « r\ d Rowing towns. For fur- 

xv. r. * urn ass. Director, Lafayette, Kansas. 



SUMNER COUNTY. 



GREATEST WHEAT PRODUCING COUNTY OF THE STATE— FIRST IN RAILROAD 
MILEAGE— FIRST IN HORSES — THIRD IN CORN. 

YT7HIS is one of the very best agricultural counties in the State. The soil is 
Mis a rich, deep sandy loam, genial and productive. The yield of grains of 
all kinds is equal to that of any county in Kansas or the west. It is wat- 
ered by three rivers, the Arkansas, Ninnescah and Chikaski, with several im- 
portant smaller streams of neyer failing water. Good water is found every 
where at a depth of from ten to fifty feet. It is not affected by the droughts of 
the plains counties. Its climate is the best in the west. 

The county has a population of about 33,000. Most of our people are from 
western states. There are several colonies, including Quakers, Germans and 
Bohemians, which are very prosperous. 

Land is cheap; unimproved land can be had at from $8 to $15, owing to 
location. Improved land ranges in price from $15 to $30, owing to improve- 
ments. There is a splendid opening here for farmers with limited capital who 
wish to purchase 40, 80, or 160 acres, and there is no doubt but that the land 
will double in value in the next ten years. 

There are district schools in every neighborhood, 193 organized school dis- 
tricts and 194 school buildings. The value of our school property is $240,000. 

This county has 249.67 miles of railroad, besides 38.39 miles of sidings. This 
is more than is contained in any other county in the State, giving us four dis- 
tinct systems. There are twenty-seven railroad stations in the county. The 
valuation of property in Sumner county is $1,537,949. The companies paid 
into the treasury as taxes last year, $52,194.58. 

We have two salt plants in successful operation at Wellington. An official 
analysis proves the Wellington salt to be the purest in the world. It is 99.40 
pure salt. The first plant started has made 4,821,838 pounds. The vein is 65 
feet; depth of well 300 feet. The other plant has been in operation a little over 
six months and has made 652,000 barrels. All sold. This vein is 30 J feet deep 
and the depth of of the well is 250 feet. An important fact is that 
the salt here is nearer the surface than at any point in the State and can be 
manufactured at less expense than any where else. 

Wellington, the county-seat, has a population of about 6,000, with all 
modern improvements and three railroads. Caldwell has 2,000 people and 
three railroads. Conway Springs has two railroads, a sugar factory and cream- 
ery. Geuda Springs is a summer resort with a $40,000 bath house. Belle Plaine 
Mulvane, Oxford, Argonia, South Haven, Hunnewell, Perth and Corbin each 
have two railroads. Milan, Mayfield, Millerton and Rome are good trade 
centers. 

The total taxable valuation of property last year, about one-fourth its real 
value, was $7,684,373; acres in farms, 584,036; acres under fence, 307,379; acres in 
wheat, 96,433; bushels raised, 2,507,258; acres in corn, 160,000; bushels raised, 
7,843,436; acres in oats, 60,000; bushels raised 1,900,728; value of farm imple- 
ments, $183,505; number of horses in county, 16,361; number of hogs in county, 
48;389; number of cattle in county, 50,619; value of animals slaughtered and sold 
for slaughter, $934,749; apple trees bearing, 87,951; pear trees bearing, 3,530; 
peach trees bearing, 557,856; plum trees bearing, 14,065; cherry trees bearing, 
38,935. The number of young fruit trees growing is much larger. 

Taking the advanced state of improvements, tbe schools, the railroads, and 
all other conveniences and comforts, and tbe low price of laud, certainly no 
section of country anywhere surpasses Sumner county in inducements to 
home-seekers. For further information address 

J. G. Wood, Director, Wellington, Kansas. 



-74- 

TREGO COUNTY. 



PARAGON OF PERFECTION— THE BELLE OF NORTHWEST KANSAS. 

TT7REGO COUNTY is a west central county, lying in the fourth tier east 
&\(a from the Colorado State line. It has an area of 900 square miles, was 
organized in 1879. The general surface is undulating to slightly rolling, 
and there is an absence of the dull, flat monotony so conspicuous in some 
counties. Bottom lands vary in width from one-half to one mile, and com- 
prise twelve per cent, of the total area. 

There are no timber belts, but a few small groves of trees appear along the 
Saline and other streams. 

Magnesian limestone is found in great abundance everywhere, and a very 
hard conglomerate stone is also plentiful. Native lime is also found in many 
parts of the county and is a good substitute for burnt lime. The subsoil is first 
clay and then marl, a natural fertilizer, and a soil second to none in the State 
for wheat and other ruall grain. Springs are abundant and well water is 
obtainable at from ten u» one hundred feet, owing to location. It is one of the 
best watered counties In the State, having the Saline river and Spring creek 
in the north part of the county, Big creek nearly in the center of tbe county 
and the Smoky (Kaw) river in the south part of the county, besides many 
other small streams which are fed by springs. The soil is a rich, dark loam, 
rich in all the necessary properties for the successful raising of all kinds of 
fruits, grain and grasses. No section of the State can offer better opportunities 
for joint farming and stock-raising. The lands, generally speaking, are very 
smooth with just slope enough to drain well. The soil ranges from fifteen 
inches to four feet in depth. We claim for Trego county, aside from its natural 
advantages, such as water in abundance, fertile soil, building stone, etc., etc., 
the following commercial or financial merits: While other counties in Kansas 
are groaning under a burden of grievous and heavy taxation, on account of a 
heavy and extraordinary bonded indebtedness, both county and township, the 
county of Trego is almost entirely out of debt, while there is no debt whatever 
on any township in the county. The indebtedness of Trego county is $35,000, 
being bonds voted in 1887 to build a stone court house (now completed), at Wa 
Keeney, the county seat. 

This is by far the most important matter to be taken into consideration by 
intended home-seekers or investors in real estate. Always buy where there is 
little or no bonded indebtedness, and, consequently a low rate of taxation. 

WaKeeney, the county seat of Trego county, is the most important town 
in the Western Land District, as all parties who make entries on government 
land or are interested in contesting claims, as well as many who make final 
proof are required to appear before the U. S. Land Office, which is located at this 
place. There are a number of large and substantial buildings, among which 
we mention the opera house, a handsome stone structure, 80x100 feet, erected 
in 1880, at a cost of $20,000 ; the Union Pacific depot, 30x100 feet, one of the 
finest and handsomest depots beween Kansas City and Denver,built of stone in 
1879, cost $8,000 ; the Tribune and First National bank buildings, built of brick 
in 1887, cost $8,000 ; public school building, frame, 82x88 feet, cost $8,000 ; the 
Presbyterian and M. E. church buildings, both handsome frame structures, 
costing $4,000 each ; the stone court house, one of the finest court houses in the 
State, cost $35,000, also a neat Baptist church, frame, costing $1,500. 

We want it distinctly understood that we are no boomers, we state facts 
just as they are. Our settlers already on the field are an intelligent people, 
and we want more of the saiue kind to help us build up this part of sunny 
Kansas, so we say come to Trego county and see for yourselves. Come where 
taxes are very low; come and help build up what is going to be one of the 
best counties in the State. For further information address 

James Kelly, Director, WaKeeney, Kansas. 



. -76- 

WICHITA COUNTY, 



FAIREST OF ALL— In the shade of the Rockies nestles the brightest 
jewel in the glorious galaxy of Western Kansas counties. An energetic 
people brave the vicissitudes of frontier life and transposed a seeming 
desert into a Garden of Eden with modern improvements. A bounteous nature 
bestows upon Wichita county peace, prosperity, and plenty, together with her 
most munificent endowment of an unequaled fertility in soil, richness in re- 
sources, opulent in profundity; plethoric in productiveness, and fruitful in 
Elentitude, added to which, the kind dispensation of an indulgent Providence 
as blessed Western Kansas with a most delightful climate The glory of Kan- 
sas will uever die. Her praises have been sung in every clime where the sun 
of civilization dawns. The wonderful tales of her mighty onward march to 
the front rank of statehood, in wealth, prosperity, and power, have penetrated 
every portion of the globe. 

It is a tale that never grows old, and generations to come, when the people 
of to-day have gone to the onty place that can rival and out shine Kansas in 
beauty, grandeur, and fertility, Heaven, the history of Kansas will read as a 
wonderful romance. Through the innumerable difficulties of early settlement, 
the vicissitudes of reckless fortune, the ignominy of indifference, the satire of 
ridicule, the hatred of petty jealousy, the herculean effort, wresting the land 
from the immutable hand of time, and eradicating the wild nature from the 
soil, Kansas has marched triumphantly onward, the eyes of her people ever 
turned implicitly upward to the regal ensign of the State "ad astra per aspera." 
Though often discouraged, her people were never disheartened-; though driven 
to the verge of desperation, the "never say die until dead" spirit of her citizens, 
in whose breast was nourished an unswerving faith in the ultimate success of 
their fondest hopes, always proved in an emergency equal to the occasion. 

Western Kansas is tbe eldorado of home-seekers. It is the modern para- 
dise for the farmer and stock raiser. 

The vast plains of Wichita county, undulating away towards the horizon, 
as far as tbe eye can reach, are the most fertile west of the sixth principal 
meridian. Tbe soil is a rich, black loam, is underlaid by a marl sub-soil, and is 
from two to five feet in depth. 

Tbe county lies in the shade of the Rocky mountains, just far enough to the 
eastward to catch the rainfall from the gigantic chain of mountains, whose 
towering peaks pierce the clouds and hold the snows of winter till carried off 
as rain in spring and summer. Two good streams of water, the Beaver and 
White Woman, flow across the county from east to west. The Beaver, a large, 
overflowing stream, rises in Colorado and fed by never failing springs and 
streams. White Woman also rises in Colorado and contains a good body of 
clear, pure water. Good water can be obtained at a depth of from fifteen to 
ninety feet and is free from alkali. 

Wichita county is twenty-four by thirty miles square; contains 460,800 
acres of farming land— 2,880 quarter sections — more than half of which can 
now be bought at from $5 to $10 per acre. These cheap farms are as beautiful 
tracts of land as can be found in the United States. All as level as a floor and 
as rich as a garden. Two railroads traverse the county from east to west; the 
Missouri Pacific and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. Stock raising is exceed- 
ingly remunerative in this county as stock can subsist, yes actually fatten on the 
native grasses, at least ten months in the year, often the entire year. We have 
good schools, good churches, good society, good roads, and for health fulness, 
Wichita county challenges the world. Our population is 2,500 and our death 
rate but eight. Wichita county has six good towns — Leoti. Coronado, Halcyon, 
Selkirk, St. Theresa, and Wasburn— besides several places containing post- 
offices, etc. You can locate on a farm in any part of tbe county and be sure of 
beini? bandy to schools, post-office, and churches. The agricultural products 
of Wichita county took the second premium at the State Fair in Topeka, in 
1888, and the third premium at Kansas City Exposition the same year, with 
several States competing. For further information address 

A.. R. Kjkapp, Director, Coronado, Kas. 



WILSON COUNTY. 



TV PILSON COUNTY is one of the best agricultural counties In Kansas. It 
\fij is in the southeastern part of the State and is traversed by the Verdigris 
and Fall rivers. These streams, with their tributaries give us a laWe 
percentage of fertile, well watered bottom lands, which, for rais iS corn wheat 
oate, rye and all kinds of fruits and vegetables are not surpassed anywhere 
Our corn crops are notorious. The acreage of this one crop last year In wul 

All th°e U Serdo 5 S a Se'. ^ " ™^ ^ ° f *'* S °^£ toe JEL 
The county was settled some twenty odd years ago, and has never "boomed" 
in the common acceptance of the word. It has, howeVer, maL talked a steaclv 
trn^l gr r t , h ' ai l d . 2" ^ resent P°P ul ^tion is about 16,000. Highly im proved 
forms can be bought for less money than can an equal amount of raw land in 
many counties no better than Wilson, and not so advantageously sttuated £ 
the matter of proximitv to the best markets. "v«uud fe eousiy situated in 

, .. Fred . on k» the county seat, situa **d in the heart of this rich productive 
section is particularly favored in the railroad line. It is on the main line of 
the 'Frisco railroad, giving us direct connections with St! Louis andTher east- 
S p P° m \ a ^ ***> with the very profitable markets of Cc dorack and the west 
The Santa Fe road also pierces Wilson county, passing through Fredoniabiui 
a third immense railroad system, the Missouri kcific?deemed it wise to run a 
line through here; and these three great competing lines give omcountv and 
SiSS Stales? red ° nia ' Unexcelled railroad connections wfto'every pan of "the 
The city of Fredonia is at present making rapid and substantial nrocrres* 
Towering above all other buildings in the city, is the magnificent brick and 
stone court house, built at a cost of $50,000. This beauti ful Structure occupies 
the center of a large square, which is surrounded by blocks of fine brickSness 
houses including two of the best bank buildings in this part of the State A? 
other elegant edifice is the Hudson opera bouse second to none in snnoinr 
ments and furnishings. The city is supplied with Xt is conceded toT the 
best system of water works in the State, if not in the west. In connection whh 
the water works the city has an efficient fire department, f ully equipped w to 

euSffic iS? s ^ d r^ a r tUS - T1 ? e . stree i 8 and ^siness housJaS lighted w h 
ejectric lights. Our children are being educated in large, roomy and handsome 
brick school buildings, in charge of competent and enfhusiasti? teachers 

. We particular y invite attention to Fredonia's advantages S *a desirable 
point for the location of manufacturing enterprises. Its suSr raflroad fS 
ties, unlimited supply of pure cheap water and proximity to cheap fuel make 
miJKSH P ecul ' arl y ada P ted to the profitable investment o ? ca3 it various^ 
manufactures. We have two large flouring mills supplied wito modern m«nMn 
S?; f n C T Pany wit . h a ^sh capital of S12.U00, has bought machinery and fs nuT 

oSNSo^^^el^h^^ Whicb ^ ^^ enchanceX vZe of 
t\,L enormous apple and other fruit crops, and insure a profitable market for 

b^UTffilZ*!!* 1 If 8 ° ^ ^wn here. It F 8 ex^dZTave the 
institution in full operation the coming summer. Another enternrise for whir-h 
all arrangements have been made and the plant bought is an icr^torvThe 

Sh SmU n e re ^ ed h f Ve ^ ^ overDed ^ their sStiorofFredoSZas toe 
point for their investment by its pure water and superior shipping fachtfes 
rp . There is room for many more similar enterprises andmrneo and 

ready and willing to aid in every reasonable way all who desfre J locate here 
and add to the growth and prosperity of this progressive city We want no 

nKSSj;^ 8hare ° f th f lutell ''^«t P fafmers LKnS^ 
ngiit, wide-awake business men who are looking toward our erand vo.ms- 

sou celam °f"S>r^eT;c a r d WG W 8U "? that *" exa "^atlonof our ■natuXTJ? 
best coun ti« fj L Ca -' OD Wll J convince an > T ° ne that Wilson is one of the 
^^^^ d i!^^^^!^^^y andpIea-Bt cities in the 

M. T. CANTRELii, Director, Fredonia Kansas. 



-77- 

WYANDOTTE COUNTY, 



T pOCATED at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas rivers, is the small- 
I \ est county in the State of Kansas; yet in point of wealth and population, 
in commerce and manufacturing, in agriculture, and as a field for profit- 
able investments and delightful homes for all classes, the county has no equal 
in the west. 

The population of the county is 63,000, distributed as follows: Kansas 
City, Kausas, the metropolis of the State, 45,000; Argentine, a great manufac- 
turing city of the second-class, 6,000; Rosedale, a busy city of the third-class, 
4,000, and the five townships outside the cities, 8,000. 

The surface of Wyandotte county combines the rich alluvial bottom lands 
of the Missouri and Kansas valleys, and the lighter soils of the hills skirting 
them. Every plant that can be grown along the 39th parallel is cultivated to a 
high degree of perfection. Evidence of this is found in the fact that for the last 
eight years, the agricultural exhibits have taken first prizes at fairs and exposi- 
tions wherever shown. Geological formations and experiments show that coal 
in paying quantities underlies the county and capitalists are making active 
preparations for mining the coal. 

The assessed valuation of taxable property in Wyandotte county is $11 ,322,- 
761, which represents only 25 per cent of the actuai valuation. The financial 
condition of the county is first class. With a bonded indebtedness of $540,230, 
her bonds bear a low rate of interest, and sell at a handsome premium. 

Wyandotte county has the largest city in the State of Kansas — Kansas 
City, with a population of 45,000. She has twenty-three miles of paved streets, 
is lighted by electricity, has Holly system of water works, and has fourteen 
miles of double track and sixteen miles of single track in street railways, with 
five or more miles under construction. 

The Kansas City, Kansas, stock yards are the second largest in the world. 
The total receipts for 1889, were 1,220,343 cattle; 2,073,910 hogs, 370,772 sheep, 
34,563 horses and mules, requiring 83,972 cars to handle the animals shipped to 
Kansas City, Kansas. Of these there were purchased for packers and city use, 
474,885 cattle, 1,741,880 hogs and 195,027 sheep. The aggregate value of the 
stock handled in 1889 was $59,554,276. 

Wyandotte county is pre-eminently the leading manufacturing center of 
the West. The latest report of the State Labor Bureau shows that $12,073,000 
of capital is employed in manufacturing in the county, while the value of the 
product for 1889 was $36,209,311. The value of the raw material used in manu- 
facturing is placed at $32,209,458, while $2,554,817 was paid out for labor in 
forty-nine of the leading establishments. 

In Kansas City, Kansas, there are seven great packing establishments, 
which entitles the city to the claim of being the second packing center of the 
world. Beside these there are extensive railway shops, foundries, machine 
shops, smelters and numerous smaller manufacturing concerns. 

At Argentine, which joins Kansas City on the south and which is separat- 
ed from it by the Kansas river, is the mammoth smelter of the Consolidated 
Smelting aud Refining Company, of Kansas City. This is the largest institu- 
tion of the kind in the world, producing one-fifth of all the silver and one-fifth 
of all the lead produced in the United States. Its annual output being valu- 
ed at $18,000,000. At Lovelace, three miles west of Argentine, another similar 
smelter is being built. 

Seven great railroad systems, touching nearly every state and territory 
west of the Mississippi river and in the south, have their terminal facilities in 
the county. These are the Union Pacific, the Missouri Pacific, the Rock Island, 
the Santa Fe, the Memphis Route, the Kansas City, Wyandotte & Northwest- 
ern and Chicago, St. Paul & Kansas City. Each has a standing army of several 
hundred men employed in offices, shops, round houses, yards and at various 
railway occupations, • For further information address 

A B. Fobd, Director, Kansas City, Kana 



POPULATION; 



Table showing by counties, the population on March 1, 1889. 



COUNTIES. 



Allen 

Anderson.... 

Atchison 

Baibur 

Barton 

Bourbon .... 

Brown 

Butler 

Chase 

Chautauqua. . 
Cherokee . . 
Cheyenne 

Clark 

Clay 

Cloud 

Coffey 

Comanche. . . 

Cowley 

Crawford 

Decatur 

Dickinson 

Doniphan. . . . 

Douglas 

Edwards. . . . 

Elk 

Ellis - 

Ellsworth. . . 

Finney 

Ford 

Franklin. . .. 

Garfield 

Geary 

Gove 

Graham 

Gr*nt 

Gray 

Greeley 

Greenwood. . . 
Hamilton. . . . 

Harper 

Harvey 

Haskell 

Hodgeman . . . 
Jackson ..... 

Jefferson 

Jewell 

'Johnson 

Kearney 

Kingman 

Kiowa 

Libette 

Lane 

Leavenworth. 
Lincoln 



1889. 



13,847 
13,235 
29,607 

8,333 
ll,8i>5 
32,115 
19.602 
24,916 

7,970 
11 404 
27,349 

4,499 

3, 2:11 
15,720 
18,321 
15.398 

5 000 
35.991 
30,1 9 

8,702 

23.191 

12.320 

25 0«3 

8,975 

12.783 

7,220 

9,667 

4,300 

6 647 
20.886 

1 320 
8.968 
8 637 
6.338 
2.125 
3, 891 

2 079 
15 840 

2,349 
13.200 
20.842 

1.725 

8 096 
15.315 
15,900 
19,117 
16.244 

2 138 
19 039 

3.807 
26,123 

2 519 
33 f21 

9.254 



COUNTIES. 



Linn 

Logan 

Lyon 

Marion 

Marshall 

McPherson . 

Meade 

Miami 

Mitchell 

Montgomery . 

Morris 

M orton 

Nemaha 

Neosho 

Ness 

Norton 

Osage 

O-borne 

Ottawa 

Pawnee 

Phillips 

I'nttawa! omie 

Pratt 

Rawlins 

Reno 

Republic. ... 

Rice 

Riley 

Rooks 

Rush 

Russell 

8aline 

Sott 

Sedgwick. 
Seward . 

Shawnee 

Sheridan 

Sherman 

Smith 

Stafford 

Stanton . . 

Stevens 

Sumner 

Thomas 

Trego 

Wabaunsee 

Wallace 

Wa hington . . 

Wichita 

Wilson 

Woodson 
Wyandotte. . . 

Total 



1389. 



16 840 
8.529 
25.471 
20.241 
24.372 
21358 

3 696 
17.834 
14 346 
24 050 
11 438 

1.600 
19 762 
18.414 

5 305 
10 965 
2V3 6 
12.210 
15.453 

5.6.0 
16.039 

16 898 

7 738 
6,981 

31.481 

17 539 
l:-t.393 
12.978 

8 598 
5.007 

6 882 
20.142 

2.848 
52-552 

2 i 20 
5"). 904 

4 031 

5 90.5 
15 032 

8-211 
1.095 
1865 

80.697 
5 445 
2.844 

10.950 
2.741 

21.894 
2.668 

15.938 
8.9 4 

50.862 



1 464.914 



POPULATION OF CITIES IN KANSAS. 

Having 1,000 Inhabitants and upwards, March i, 1889, arranged according to rant. 



1 
2 
3 
4 

5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
,35 
36 
37 
33 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
60 
51 



Cities. 



Kansas City 

Topeka 

Wichita* 

Leavenworth... 

Atchison 

Fort Scott 

Hutchinson 

Lawrence 

Emporia........ 

Saliua 

Arkansas City. 

Newton 

Winlleld 

Ottawa 

Parsons 

Pittsburg 

Wellington 

El Dorado 

Ahilene 

Argentine 

Junction City.. 

Olathe 

Mcl'herson 

Horton 

Concordia 

Osage City 

Independence . 

Marysville 

Clay Center 

G irard 

Minneapolis . . . 

Manhattan 

Paola 

Holton 

Oswego 

Chanute 

Seneca 

Garden City . . . 

Columbus 

Kingman 

Dodge City 

Anthony 

Burlington 

Great Bend 

Chetopa 

Rosedale 

Hiawatha 

Beloit 

Lamed 

Coffey ville.. . . 
Council Grove.. 



Popula- 
tion. 



36 
35 

♦33. 
20. 
17 
15. 
14 
10. 

9. 

9, 



,279 
,622 
,999 
806 
023 
607 
028 
,803 
750 
,105 
639 
076 
542 
040 

122 

056 
981 
219 
126 

S25 
871 
644 
598 
567 
396 
244 
213 
142 
009 
947 

wo 

895 
S35 
672 

<m 

:,S 
461 
388 

372 

303 
259 
252 
246 
,223 
,210 
193 
190 
1S4 
173 
,157 
,157 



a 



53 
53 
54 
55 

56 
57 
58 
59 
60 
61 
62 
63 
64 
65 
66 
67 
68 
69 
70 
71 
72 
73 
74 
75 
76 
77 
78 
79 
80 
81 
82 
83 
84 
85 
86 
87 
88 
89 
90 
91 
92 
93 
94 
95 
96 
97 
98 
99 
100 
101 



Cities. 



Nlckerson , 

Burlingame 

Marlon 

Ellsworth 

Galena 

Garnett 

Washington 

Cherry vale 

Eureka 

Weir City 

Caldwell 

Harper 

Baxter Springs. 

Scranton 

Wamego 

Sterling 

Peabody 

lola 

Lyons 

Fredonla 

Belleville 

Pratt 

Neodesha 

Norton 

Humboldt 

P'lurence 

Babetha 

Herrington 

Osage Mission. . 

Pleasanton 

Phillipsburg 

Howard 

Baldwin City.. 
Yates Center — 

Lindsborg 

Cherokee 

Osawatomie 

Erie 

Augusta 

Downs 

Clyde 

Osnorne 

LaCygne 

Stockton 

Oberlin _.. 

Valley Falls.... 

Halstead 

St. Marys 

Sedan 

Quenemo 



Popula- 
tion. 



2,108 
2,054 
2,049 
2,026 
2.018 
2,011 
1,975 
1,951 
1,947 
1.864 
£793 

S8 

1.743 
1,743 
1,706 
1,703 
1,687 
1,674 
1,610 
1,599 
1.566 
1,546 
1,525 
1,520 
1,51'/ 
1,392 
1,360 
1,320 
1,315 
1,315 
1,308 
1,241 
1,231 
1,230 
1,228 
1,181 
1,171 
1,151 
1,151 
1,149 
1,145 
1,136 

1,133 

1,123 
1,119 
l.OlO 
1,086 
1,056 
1,028 



* Population of 1SS8; no return* for 18S9, 



OFFICERS 

KANSAS IMMIGRATION BUREAU. 



E. B. BUCK, President, Winfield. 

HALE COWLEY, Secretary, Wiehita. 

A. W. OLIVER, Treasurer, Wichita. 



EXECUTIVE BOARD. 



R. B. DRURY, Atchison. 

A. R. FORD, Kansas City, Kansas. 

C. P. BUFFINGTON, Cherry vale. 

S. A. MARTIN, Eureka. 

TAYLOR MILLER, Salina. 

G. A. SPENCER, Russell. 
W. E. BOLTON, Greensburg. 



